Seven years after her debut film, the delicious coming-of-age/coming-out story The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, Maria Maggenti returns to the big screen with a grown-up romantic comedy. The film's Lothario is a smooth-talking, marriage-phobic seducer: the typical man's role has been replaced by modern gay woman.
Renegade lesbian long-haired novelist Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser) has been dumped by her girlfriend Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) because she can't commit. So what does Allegra do? She mopes--for a day, maybe two. And then she starts two brand new affairs: one with a man! (Justin Kirk) and the other, with a ditsy but lovely straight woman (Gretchen Mol) who just happens to be Allegra's new guy's ex-girlfriend.
Complications ensue. Coincidences abound. Lots and lots of coincidences - which the clever script makes a point of recognizing, fortunately. Allegra jumps in and out bed, happily satisfying and being satisfied until the complicated arrangement falls apart.
This film is a charmer: a genuine screwball comedy, set in springtime New York, a fantasy Manhattan where everyone lives in gorgeous brownstones, takes taxis, and drinks wine out of goblets. No matter. It is a romantic comedy. The literate dialogue comes fast and funny; the attractive, appealing cast glow in the dappled light; Elizabeth Reaser especially eats up the screen. She was regal and distant (and gorgeous) in Sweet Land--here, she is light-hearted and open (and still gorgeous).
