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Title: "Occasionally forced and flat"? The whole movie's that way
Review: This is a crime story that could only come from the minds of people who spend most of their time in Beverly Hills and Malibu, contemplating how the rest of the world manages to live without the most expensive privileges on earth. Instead of real characters, it gives us itemized lists of neuroses and life issues that never gel into real characters. The humor in the movie, such as at is, derives entirely from these unbelievable quirks.Too bad. Barry Levinson was at one time one of the great creators of unique and memorable characters, such as in Diner, Tin Men, Avalon and Rain Man. The characters on Homicide, the TV show he executive-produced, were vivid and memorable. But this movie's characters are unplayable, and the actors involved cannot make this come to life. Even the usually amazing Cate Blanchett seems lost here. Bad bad movie.
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