wayne wangs direction may ingredient made film much impressive slums beverly hills covers remarkably similar ground interplay susan sarandon natalie portman riveting real chemistry there film succeeded bringing inside dysfunctional life two women without dragging depressed frustration susan sarandons character hammers nerves narcissistic parent capable touching insecure adolescent amazingly manages without coming across floridly insane intentionally sadistic and natalie portman deflects attack characters ego resigned grace intelligent codependent child untainted smug cynicism natasha lyonne character slums beverly hills portmans character adolescent dignity stress unusual creature modern films film reaches satisfying resolution without trying hard highly recommend film viewer wants challenged entertained