Review by kaforeman

We really thought we would like this, and really WANTED to like it, but this is just not a good movie. Others have mentioned the bizarre casting of people 20 years too old for their roles, and the fact that they used an American actor (Kathy Bates) and an English actor (Maggie Smith) to play Irish women. Kathy Bates at age 70 was supposed to be the mother of a brood of young children, including one who was about 10. Laura Linney was supposed to be her cousin and childhood best friend, though Linney looks far younger. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out who was who because it didn't make sense. Once we put aside the age problem, we focused on the movie itself and were disappointed. There were elements that on their own were good, but they just didn't come together. There were also some odd things that didn't make sense but would be spoilers if we mentioned them. And other things that were left out, like what had Laura Linney been doing in America for 40 years, and why did she seem to have some medical knowledge? In the end, it was a big disappointment and frustration. But we really, really TRIED to like it.