There are some thoroughly unpleasant characters in this film, but it
still proves to be a funny and rewarding cinematic experience. It's
partly because the humour is so nicely judged – observational, often
underplayed, and with a dark (but not cruel) streak. And it's such a
pleasure to come across a film that is so well constructed, where
scenes are packed with the kind of telling details which repay further
viewings; where development of character is integrated with the plot.
The acting is also uniformly good, with Jeff Daniels giving a stand out
performance as the unlikeable but rather sad father helping to bring
about the disintegration of his family.