Movies with dumb stereotypes of America's heartland are all too common, so this one was refreshing. The portrayal of a couple putting off a first sexual encounter was also refreshing. Janet's decision seemed rational, reasonable, honorable and humane without seeming prudish. Most films would've portrayed her decision either as heroic or loony.
The intrigue with the crazy ex-husband was less successful than the love-story line. It came out of nowhere and it wasn't executed very well. For one, the director shouldn't have shown the ring falling to the floorboards. That confused me by mixing Sam's perspective with Steve's perspective. Second, why wasn't Janet surprised to see Sam on her couch? The fries-munching friend and the bartender seemed over the top, moving the film's flavor from indie to amateur.
The intrigue with the crazy ex-husband was less successful than the love-story line. It came out of nowhere and it wasn't executed very well. For one, the director shouldn't have shown the ring falling to the floorboards. That confused me by mixing Sam's perspective with Steve's perspective. Second, why wasn't Janet surprised to see Sam on her couch? The fries-munching friend and the bartender seemed over the top, moving the film's flavor from indie to amateur.