I give this movie a very low rating purely because of the opening irresponsible opening scene. The lead character played by Zoe D.( a career handicapped by awful last name) takes and nurses a sweet kitten, and then she zips it into a bag and throws it in a river. She had other options, she could have taken it to an animal shelter, she could have gone door-to-door and said "Please, I am homeless, can you take my kitten", She could have stood outside a Wal-Mart with a sign. SHE COULD HAVE TAKEN IT With her, but no she cold blooded condemns the poor little thing to a terrifying and long death. I did watch the movie because I am a strong Ed Harris fan, but hate the initial scene and the message it sends out, and that no one Director, Crew, Actors, would think this perpetuation that drowning is an acceptable way to kill. Not her fault but I find myself disliking Zoey D, and will probably not watch another of her films.

Reese Holden (Zooey Deschanel) is a struggling NY actress with many personal problems. She's offered $100k by Lori Lansky to get her reclusive writer father (Ed Harris)'s love letters with her mother. Her mother had recently died but she didn't go to her funeral. She goes home to find her father living with his former student Shelly (Amelia Warner) and weird musician Corbit (Will Ferrell). Her father is withdrawn and she's haunted by her troubled childhood.Writer/director Adam Rapp is doing a somewhat mixed indie. Zooey Deschanel is losing her quirkiness for a real sad character. I wish she had more substantial conversations with Ed Harris but he ends up catatonic in most of the movie. Then there is Will Ferrell who seems intent to be quirky and it's ill-fitting. It's interesting to see Zooey take a slight turn and this indie has a few interesting moments.

Good, but could have been great. Solid plot, well directed. Heavy on emotion, relationships and character-based drama. Does overdo the kookiness though. Plus, it leaves a lot of things unresolved, though maybe that's the point.Zooey Deschanel is solid in the lead role. Good to see her in an edgy role for once. She usually plays sweet innocent characters (not that I am complaining though - I loved her in 500 Days of Summer). Here she is a selfish, chain-smoking, cocaine-snorting, foul-mouthed bitch.Ed Harris is superb in the role of the father, though this is to be expected. (He seems to revel in portraying sick/depressed/emotionally scarred characters). Interesting to see Will Ferrell in a dramatic role, and he does OK in it.

Adam Rapp brings us a touching little movie about an emotionally detached theatre actress/ bartender who seeks relief in alcohol, drugs and casual sex, her alcoholic father and his caretakers that include his former student and a Christian electric guitar player. At first I was under the impression that this would be a quirky black comedy (which was the impression the poster gave). Rapp (who is both writer and director) makes the film with sophistication and finesse. Stories of lost people attempting to rebuild their broken lives have been portrayed many times but there is a distinct style in Rapp's presentation and the way he brings it all together in this film wholely involving the viewer into the lives of these characters all of whom are searching for something. The cinematography, art direction, editing and score work together beautifully never distracting from the main plot or the character. There is a poetic flow to 'Winter Passing', not the whimsical kind but more of the quiet whispering kind.Zooey Deschanel is easily among the finest actresses of her generation. This film should further prove what a versatile and gifted actress she is to those who have stated that her acting range is only limited to playing quirky, free-spirited and adventurous characters. She is superbly restrained and plays her part with full conviction. Ed Harris is equally stupendous as the tormented has-been writer who desperate tries to find grace in his work. Amelia Warner is lovely as the caring ex-student who has found a way to leave her troubled past behind and is content with the current comfort and peace. Will Ferrell is at his best yet again in a subtle but funny role of the shy, polite and courageous Corbit.'Winter Passing' is an underrated gem. It isn't always easy to watch but in the end one feels like they have watched something worthy. I certainly wouldn't mind revisiting sometime in the future.