This is a movie that draws audiences through its great character portrayals that run the gamut from the joy of rediscovering love, to potential and actual tragedy and heartache, as well as anger.
However, some may find the pace a tad slow while Costner-bashers (and there are many) will remark that he has finally found a role that suits him. Not that he shines here but the character he plays is a reflection of his actual life - a has-been who has seen better days and is clinging on to fame and celebrity by the skin of his teeth.
Regardless of what you think or feel about Costner, it is shocking to see him deteriorate so much physically as the effect of middle age has fully come home to hit him in the gut (pun intended!).
Costner's ability to fit into a family initially thought to have lost its husband/father figure to a mid-age love affair to an ex-office staff, only for the shocking truth to be revealed later, lifts the movie.
The great interaction between four daughters and an angry wife with Costner's father/suitor role does not come across as sickeningly sweet and is handled deftly by the players and good direction as the plot unfolds.
If you can spare a couple of hours and want a quiet movie that does not shock with violence or ridicule with over the top humour, this may be just the one to while away a rainy day with. Not Kleenex box at hand material, but sufficiently absorbing and engaging enough.
However, some may find the pace a tad slow while Costner-bashers (and there are many) will remark that he has finally found a role that suits him. Not that he shines here but the character he plays is a reflection of his actual life - a has-been who has seen better days and is clinging on to fame and celebrity by the skin of his teeth.
Regardless of what you think or feel about Costner, it is shocking to see him deteriorate so much physically as the effect of middle age has fully come home to hit him in the gut (pun intended!).
Costner's ability to fit into a family initially thought to have lost its husband/father figure to a mid-age love affair to an ex-office staff, only for the shocking truth to be revealed later, lifts the movie.
The great interaction between four daughters and an angry wife with Costner's father/suitor role does not come across as sickeningly sweet and is handled deftly by the players and good direction as the plot unfolds.
If you can spare a couple of hours and want a quiet movie that does not shock with violence or ridicule with over the top humour, this may be just the one to while away a rainy day with. Not Kleenex box at hand material, but sufficiently absorbing and engaging enough.