Almost (but not quite) lost in this very engaging film are 2 great cameos. The first, by Judd Hirsch, leaves you begging for more and the second, by David Lynch, sets you up to leave the theater and head for home.

Also noteworthy are the experiences of high school (teen-age) antisemitism. They range from straight out bullying to an endearingly sincere effort by a very attractive young Christian woman to bring Jesus into the heart and soul of the unwilling (but smitten) 16-year-old Jewish Sam.

Along with the portrait of an artist as a young man, the film also devotes time to the pain, confusion, and trauma of divorce, for both the adults and children. There is a light but serious touch to some very heavy themes which make the film enjoyable while at the same time leave the viewer with plenty to ponder and think about long after the lights go back on. Overall, an extremely valuable cinema experience, one that can be viewed and thought about as well as enjoyed.