Sadly Over-hyped

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Sorry, but I am tired of somebody always having to come out in movies nowadays. This sideline in this film was obvious from the jump. Look for the sequel, where the kid Eli is gay too. I mean, the kid is so "sensitive" and everything. So the guy kisses some jock in the locker room and gets busted in a Jerry Sandusky kind of way. But was that all there was to it? Just a kiss? Was there a scandal at school? Did all the kids know? Is that when he "became gay?" Awwwww, but big brother knew. So then why is the kid so broken up? For dad's approval? The flashbacks of the "incident" do not make sense. Was the kid molested? What happened to the jock he made out with? The pompous, insensitive British boyfriend? Was the bowling match and the fist fight afterward supposed to prove to Dad that his boy is really a man after all? And what was with the suffering young widow? What a mess just to advance a gay storyline. Especially since the guy didn't seem to happy with being gay to me. Kind of like it bothered him.

I'm not a fan of narration. Especially that of precocious, pre-pubescent boys with grown-up wisdom. But that was the only thing that annoyed me here. The rest was excellent.I really like the way they treated the concept of dying at home. Get some friends and family together and some morphine, and ride it out on your home turf. Not in a hospital. It doesn't have to be too depressing, assuming that you built some equity in a community and a family.I also appreciate that they incorporated our changing demographics without bombarding us with politically correct messages. Yes, rural towns in the west have mixed populations with lots of Hispanics. Yes, even All American families may have someone practicing an alternative lifestyle.Grenier did not have to show much range here, but he doesn't generally anyways. That's o.k. He has a unique look and you do perceive his sensitivity. I'm more tolerant of brief flashbacks than narration. I don't like long flashbacks. These were brief but effective. You did sense his pain.The kid was outstanding and everyone else was excellent. The father was very believable. Small towns do revolve around jocks and sports. If you're different it can be a real bitch. You see that here.I'm assuming that reincarnation played some role in the final bowling sequence. I think the spirit of the famous bowler mentioned in the beginning may have inhabited one of the characters.Either way, I like the way they wove the kid's spiritual questions into the plot. He visits a priest and a Hindu. In that sense it was sort of like the Woody Allen move when he does the same, looking for answers.Other than one or two indie folk songs, the music did not play a huge role. The focus was on dialog and relationships without too much manipulation. Personal redemption and revenge play into it.This is a slow film. If you have patience for thoughtful pictures, then you will probably like it.