Fridae

This is the artiest and most intellectual film of the week � meant for those who have no trouble recognizing surnames like Brecht, Plath and Pinter. Anyone with no interest in literature and has an IQ of less than 120 shouldn't even attempt to watch this.

Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins � a theatre writer-director-actress turned filmmaker � this gloomy yet funny yet moving film depicts the love-hate relationships between the Savage family members.

Laura Linney plays Wendy Savage, a struggling playwright who's having an affair with a married man and who also happens to be a shoplifter. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays her brother Jon Savage, an academic trying to write a book on Brecht. Philip Bosco is their father Lenny Savage, who is suffering from dementia and gradually losing his mind.

When Lenny has to be discharged from an old folks' home for various reasons, Wendy and Jon have to figure out how they are going to take care of him. None of three characters are particularly pleasant to begin with, but when you put all three under the same roof, it guarantees a perfect storm of emotional disaster.

The acting is painfully funny, and the writing-directing is exceptional. The Savages was nominated for numerous awards from various critics' associations, but lost out on most of them because it is ultimately too erudite and refined a pleasure to be appreciated by most.

Very smart and witty people will enjoy this film. Everyone else will likely end up scratching their heads over the film's ironic jokes and references.