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Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Meg Ryan, Olympia Dukakis, Makenzie Vega. Written and directed by Jonathan Kasdan.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Aspiring writer Carter Webb has just been dumped by his true love, Sophia. Heartbroken and depressed, he escapes Los Angeles to suburban Michigan to care for his ailing grandmother and to start work on a book he has always wanted to write. Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family across the street: Sarah Hardwicke and her two daughters (Paige, a precocious, effervescent eleven-year-old, and her older sister Lucy, an angst-ridden teenager).

PREVIEW REVIEW: Perhaps it’s just because I haven’t seen a film lately without a car crash or a barbarian slicing and dicing Mongol hordes, but I enjoyed being In the Land of Women. It’s the first film I’ve seen in a couple of weeks that could be called a drama. In it, people have real problems, including a woman facing breast cancer while dealing with an adulterous husband, an old woman facing death, and plenty of teen angst. The characters realize that they must draw together in order to cope with said problems. Though the screenwriter found it necessary to make several of his characters a little too quirky, the direction is lively and there are nice performances by all, especially Meg Ryan.

Sadly, they are not a group that seeks spiritual fulfillment. It evidently isn’t a film today unless someone uses the s- and f-words. And here most of the objectionable language comes from women and girls. When people, even those made of sugar and spice, get mad or face fearful outcomes, they often release those frustrations through language. But I got the feeling that the s-word was a regular expression in this household. I don’t know, maybe there’s nothing really wrong with that word… See? You see what happens when it’s heard enough.

Video alternative: The Bishop’s Wife. Cary Grant, Loretta Young. An angle aids a struggling minister. I marveled at the ending sermon given by the Bishop, played by David Niven. Standing behind his pulpit, the Reverend reminded his parishioners to focus attention on Christ. “All the stockings are filled, except one. We’ve even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us each ask what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share.” Wow.

Distributor: Warner Independent