If you like your films bleak and depressing, this is the film for you. Jessica Lange give one of the finest performances I've yet seen from her, and is the glue that keeps this somewhat scattered film together. The movie guide is correct; some of the minor characters are cringingly underdeveloped and as a result, seem more than a tad cliche, but not to the extend to ruining the film as a whole - it's still a very watchable film, just not a whole lot of "pick-me-up" at the denoument. If you're a fan of Jessica Lange, this is one not to miss.