Arcadia

Awesome parents are a Blessing. Not a given. Never is this more painfully ap"parent" then in the curious coming of age film "Arcadia".

John Hawkes is both compelling and pitiable as a dad who drives his three children west cross country in a beat-up station wagon to a new life in sunny southern California. He assures the youngsters that everything is going to be great in their new home. Trouble is they are leaving mom behind for ambiguous reasons that are only gradually revealed as this sad story unfolds. There is no definitive time table for her to join the rest of the family. And the kids are not all right with that.

The takeaway from "Arcadia" may best be expressed thusly: So often times the best a mother and father can do isn't exactly going to earn them consideration for "Parents of the Year". Still, these women and men love and care about their sons and daughters. And they are doing the best that they can do. The hope is that their progeny understand and embrace this.

And in so doing, they themselves won't have to grow up much too soon.