In the Land of Women

26-year old Carter Webb (Adam Brody) is a struggling writer who has just been dumped by his girlfriend. With nothing else to do, he moves to Michigan to care of his elderly grandmother (Olympia Dukakis). There, he becomes involved with the family across the street, which includes an unhappily-married mother (Meg Ryan) and an angst-filled teenage daughter (Kristen Stewart).The pop soundtrack and the gorgeous neighborhood where the movie was filmed are highlights of this movie; the woodsy setting is a perfect place for love to bloom. Well, something blooms between Carter and the mother and the daughter, but it's not quite love and not quite anything else. Carter is pretty much a perfect guy who provides wisdom and comfort to both women, while eventually resolving some issues of his own; unfortunately, Adam Brody (playing a calmer version of his quirky Seth from "The OC") is too low-key to be a leading man (at least with this script). He fades into the background while Meg Ryan's needy wife takes center stage - but she doesn't grab our hearts, either. She looks too young for the part and, honestly, her mouth is quite distracting. Her character goes through a lot, but unfortunately, the story never quite hits a home run in the emotions department. Carter's foray into the world of high school jocks and drama queens is also shallow and lifeless; there is never a single moment when I though, "Oh, yes; I know that feeling." It comes close, but falls short of real poignancy, which is not only a shame, but rather surprising, considering it's a story about heartbreak, cancer, and death.All in all, it's on a par with a big-budget TV-movie; OK, but not memorable. [ LOOK ON-LINE ] [ DOWNLOAD ]