Change of Plans (Sunday, August 29, 2010) (110)

Change of Plans is a very tidy, writerly dramady about a big group of friends who gather for a dinner party. In the group there are at least two couples whose relationships are on the ropes and another few people who have major secrets they are hiding from the others. We see each story play out over the course of the night before jumping to the same night exactly a year forward.

One year later most of the stories have either come to a head or have been washed away by other events. One woman was hit by a car and is not in a ridiculously complicated wheelchair, one couple is in the process of getting a divorce, at least two of the people who are not married are having an affair together.

This is a cute, but ultimately over-written film that ties up much too neatly. The ensemble cast is good throughout, though none of the characters are particularly complicated. The best of the actors is Christopher Thompson (who also co-wrote the film with his brother Daniele, who is the director) who plays the most outside-the-circle character in the story. He and his wife are clearly on the rocks on the first night and having a rough divorce a year later. He's very good navigating the rough waters of this weird clique and maintaining his very posh, snobby demeanor.

There are some very nice directoral moments from Daniele Thompson, though most of the movie is rather beige and style-less. There is really nothing bad about this film, but there's also nothing very great about it either. It's nice enough, but utterly trite.

Stars: 2 of 4