I spent a while waiting for this movie to open wider so I could finally see it. My main reason was for the cast. The trailer was also pretty good, and I was fairly sure that I’d really like it. And really like it, I did. It’s a very charming movie, though it does have something of a dark, cynical sense of humor and edge to it.

Writing: The script is surprisingly strong and quite touching. And it pulls it off without being treacly. Beneath the funny and endearing dialog is also a rather well written character drama that goes in directions you don’t quite expect. It’s a remarkable script in a number of ways.

Production: Everything about the production screams simplicity itself, and rightfully so. Most of it seems to be location shot (and if it isn’t, I’m very impressed).

Cast: The cast is absolutely phenomenal. You couldn’t want better than Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion. Russell has been in need of more well written lead roles, and she scores a winner with this one. Fillion gets to be more like himself in this role - warm and charming (though the shy quality of the performance is a bit unlike his real quick-witted personality). Then there’s the excellent supporting performances from no less than the likes of Andy Griffith, who is both charming and equally edgy and surly. Cheryl Hines is great fun, as is Adrienne Shelley. On the subject of Adrienne Shelley, this movie has a very bittersweet meaning to her career. This will be one of her crowning achievements, but it’s tainted by the fact that she was murdered as the film was being completed. Jeremy Sisto does an excellent job playing an oddly sympathetic creep. Eddie Jemison does a great job playing a wonderfully warm and sympathetic character who’s odd.

Music: I remember the music by Andrew Hollander to be down-to-earth, embracing the quirky southern charms, but I don’t remember a lot specifically about it. I’m unfamiliar with any of his previous work, so I’m hard pressed to make any real comments about the score, at least not without seeing the film again.