A bit of fluff…or is it? This smart script written by Ian Helfer and Jay Reiss explores the conflicted views of society toward off kilter relationships through the tragicomic reactions of the two families and a few friends. These reactions, which range from awkward to furious, form the heart of the warm, funny, and occasionally touching movie. Some viewers may be distraught by the moral neutrality of the film, but since when did an intimate relationship between consenting adults, one of whom happens to be unhappily married, require censors to issue a strong moral condemnation? Not since the 1950's, yet we still talk about (and film) May- December coupling and other aspects of relationships that are far more detrimental to Good Housekeeping mentality than this story. David (Hugh Laurie) and Paige (Catherine Keener) have a flat-line marriage and a handsome young son Toby (Adam Brody) and funky daughter Vanessa (Alia Shawkat). They live across the street from best friends Terry (Oliver Platt) and Cathy (Allison Janney) whose wayward daughter Nina (Leighton Meester) has returned home from San Francisco for the holidays after breaking up with her fiancée Ethan (Sam Rosen) after she catches him cheating. Cathy sees the perfect timing for Nina to re-connect with the very eligible Toby, tries all tricks to make this happens, but Nina will not be told how to respond. Instead Nina and David become entangled in an affair, which cause all manner of alterations in the 'friendship' between the two families and the relationship between the parents of each.In the hands of other actors this would just be a silly, flippant Rom-com, but given the cast and direction by Julian Farino it is a fine examination of human foibles. Grady Harp

The friendship between two middle-aged neighboring couples is severely strained during the Christmas holidays when the patriarch of one family has an affair with the post-teenage daughter of his friends. Poorly-written suburban shenanigans from Ian Helfer and Jay Reiss, whose script tries for a wry tone but does not have enough substance to carry interest passed the halfway mark. Their scenario, mostly made up from memories of other films such as "American Beauty" and "Say Anything", is unconvincing in the extreme, hobbled further by poorly-cast kid actors who look nothing like their on-screen parents. Obnoxious and foul-mouthed throughout...and yet scored with nostalgic seasonal music and over-decorated with twinkling lights and snowmen. * from ****

I wouldn't call the cast "star studded" but they have all been in enough good movies that I figured this one would be a hit. It was not. It's too depressing to be funny and too funny to be interpreted as realistic. The characters all lack depth which makes them seem reactionary and narcissistic. The chemistry between the Laurie and Meester is awkward at best and completely non-captivating. The humor at times is played out which includes many of the "shockingly crass" barbs that the characters throw at one another. Of course there is a giggle here and there and a clever scene or two but not enough to make it worth watching. Maybe there was too much faith put in the cast to carry the film or too much movie left on the cutting room floor but whatever the problem is this movie doesn't have IT.

I can't say I ever reviewed a movie as a zero it this one gets it. A disgrace in morals terrible acting and a story line that is not convincing. On a whim one night a father decides to build a relationship with the vapid friend ofhis daughter. What a terrible example of poor cinema and story. There was actually a line where the mom of the loose daughter asks are you OK sucking David's old balls? I don't want to stop I want to be happy the dad says. This is. bad writing acting art u name it. Total trash. Don't believe any rating above a 2. This is the worst of the worst. Hard to believe these actors agreed to b in this. Disgrace.