I like this movie for a lot of different reasons. There was certainly a lot of good characters,, but other than the character Nora,, and Merle Stiker none of them were likeable. The first 3/4 was good but i found the ending a little too much like a Simpson episode where Grandpa encourages Bart and his friend to go after the town bully. For me, seeing the town,, and yes the town Trona actually exists, was a real eye opener. I can't image living in a place that hot,, where nothing grows and your front 'lawn' is dirt. There are no trees... wow.

This is a satirical romance/comedy about a man who just enjoys the simple things in life and lives in a rundown community run by a meth head teenager. In it there are a couple subtle messages that go without being truly noticed. You will catch them if you are actually paying attention to the characters and their development. The humor is sometimes dry, useless in some scenes but helps drive the plot line. Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck) is the center piece of this film as Ray, simple, but hopeless man who goes day to day. The cast ensemble includes Melissa McCarthy, Justin Long, Danny DeVito, Jonah Hill who all have smaller roles but ones with substance. Overall the film doesn't scream laughter or too much in your face romance, it drives home the point about having dreams and being able to dream big enough to see it through. A generally good date movie. I give it 5/10

I'm certain other references to Juno likewise referred to Alaska, a place that abounds with cold, desolate areas devoid of humans and hence devoid of intelligent life. Similar in fact to the town of Trona. IMDb's plot sets the pace noting the film involves a decent guy "...with a dead-end life in the dead-end town of Trona.." So far, the makings of fall off the chair comedy, right! NOT. There is more, much more. Assume the first hour or so has the comedic pace of a slow slug and you have further insight into the vastly overrated INDIE. IQ's less than the cost of a postage stamp....you got em' in droves...just count the beer cans. Add upon this the necessary suspension of the suspension of belief. No law enforcement, teen crooks, food less market, no people, few cars, no tourists, no traffic, no money and yes...just the location for a spanking new Chevron station.Oh yes, rolling down the aisle comedy...the only family we meet assaults viewers with its low life dysfunctionality from meals, to relationships to parenting,,,,an endless humorless assault. People who dwell in the dust for chance, a moment each day, to obsess over a decades old fleeting memory.A place where bicycle teen toughies somehow rule and are so brainless they would take on a man who's wealth could see them taken down in a nanosecond. However, going through this looking glass makes all possible.Smart lines that those who rave about the script and compare to Juno are obviously referring to: To Ray (parking lot cashier) from wife over diner: How many cars did you count today? Ray (the most intelligent man in Trona) to Danny Devito: Do you OWN Chevron? Finally it ended in the manor of a bad keystone cops comedy. It was over, all that was left was for me to wipe the heavy layer of Trona's dust from my face. That happens if you sit too close to the screen.

A smart, funny, trenchant film!. the dialog sparkles throughout, highly literate, funny. And the acting is first rate. I was very moved by the relationship between Dylan Walsh and Trace Middendorf...they were both great. It's always fun to see Devito...and definitely another side of Justin Long. Well directed...well writtenWell shot. I enjoyed every minute of the film. The "pole" scene was funny! And I loved the ending....all the characters coming together...except for the bad guys..of course!Well done. I loved it! A very funny film. I'd like to see more from this director and also from Tracey and Dylan!