Hearkening back to his breakout feature Welcome to the Dollhouse, Todd Solondz’s latest sets its sights on Abe (Jordan Gelber), a hopeless 30-something man-child who works halfheartedly for his father (Christopher Walken), but spends most of his time scouring eBay for high-priced vintage toys. Abe’s only allies are his over-protective mother (Mia Farrow) and his father’s secretary (Mary Joy), who willingly shoulders Abe’s workload and appears frequently in his recurring hallucinations. Following an incredibly awkward first date at a Jewish wedding with a young woman named Miranda (Selma Blair), Abe’s persistence pays off. But just as things are beginning to come together for him, Miranda lets Abe in on a little secret,  and his life quickly spirals out of control. The film’s surprising roster of actors prove a perfect match for the director’s skewed sensibility, adding vitality to his signature style and tone. Solondz’s observations on contemporary American life and culture remain as deadpan brutal as ever. (TiFF)

“Solondz's most waywardly endearing film, his gentlest triumph.” —Richard Corliss, TIME