Amy, the 30-something daughter of a wealthy attorney (John Rubinstein) and his art-collecting wife (Blythe Danner), is divorcing her own wealthy attorney husband. Now she spends her days in her parents’ Westport, Conn., mansion watching Marx Brothers movies.
Amy is the sort of feckless, privileged character who could send people screaming from the cineplex — but, as played by Melanie Lynskey, she’s endearing and funny. Lynskey moves and speaks like a woman who’s been sweet and perky so long that even existential despair can’t keep the chirp out of her voice.
One night Amy’s parents drag her to a business dinner, and the other guests bring their handsome 19-year-old son, Jeremy (Christopher Abbott, nearly as good as Lynskey). While the parents embarrass Amy and Jeremy, with hardly a line exchanged, the two characters’ shared misery seems to reach across the table for one another. When Amy and Jeremy start a headlong affair as soon as they leave the table, it makes sense.
There are some catches, including a breathy-voiced indie-rock soundtrack so bad you wonder if it’s contributing to Amy’s malaise. But overall, the comedy is a lovely showcase for Lynskey and the rest of the cast.