Lymelife

Lymelife (Derick Martini, 2009) - C+

A shame that this doesn't really go anywhere interesting, because it has a jittery, nervous energy I enjoyed, and some unhinged moments that set it apart from your typical suburban malaise dramedy, at least for a while. Best part is the central family dynamic -- a hurricane of discontent, with rare rays of love and affection peeking through the thunderheads. But the Alec Baldwin character is more of a concept ("self-absorbed obsessive status-seeker") than a human being, some of the coming-of-age stuff is a standard-issue drag, the crazy Timothy Hutton thing is a bust, and the last act loses urgency despite Martini's best efforts. Probably still worth it for some gripping stretches and nice performances, including a beautifully layered one from Jill Hennessy, and a wired, volatile one from Kieran Culkin, who really should work more. Also, the trailer for this movie gives away far too much.