Take This Waltz

Writer/director Sarah Polley's feature debut, Away from Her, examined the effect Alzheimer's disease had on a marriage, and here she again explores themes of love and relationships, though the tone is considerably lighter. Michelle Williams stars as Margot, a young, slightly bored married woman who enjoys an innocent flirtation on a flight home to Toronto, only to face temptation when the handsome stranger (played by Luke Kirby) turns out to be her new neighbour. Williams is excellent but some other casting choices - comedic actors in straight roles - are a little hit and miss: Seth Rogen has a certain hangdog charm as Margot's underachieving husband, but Sarah Silverman is less than impressive as his recovering alcoholic sister. Although the film does become somewhat aimless over the course of nearly two hours, Polley is very good at depicting the small highs and lows of modern relationships - the frequent poignant moments of everyday intimacy will doubtless strike a chord with many couples.