The male, released from marriage bondage, in Angus MacLachlan's GOODBYE TO ALL THAT

Paul Schneider, as anyone knows who has followed the 15-year career of this immensely appealing actor, can handle a surprising variety of roles -- from the somewhat overly fond best friend of the hero in Bright Star to the subtle character-driven comedy of Lars and the Real Girl to his couple of-seasons role on Parks and Recreation. Now, here is Schneider in a terrifically appealing leading-man perfor-mance in the "rebound" rom-com, GOODBYE TO ALL THAT, in which he plays a newly "released" husband, whose wife informs him -- via her therapist -- that their marriage is suddenly "off."

That scene with the therapist (played by the always delightful Celia Weston, below) is very funny and tart, and if this movie, written and directed (his first time at the latter) by Angus MacLachlan (shown at left), were as continuously good as that particular scene, this would  be one hell of a film. As it is, it's still pretty good: always interesting, often quite funny, and with a lovely cast of characters brought to life by a fine array of actors. Schneider excels in the lead role -- bringing all of his ability to charm us, even as he appears a hunky dolt -- and he is surrounded by a cast of smart and attractive actresses who each bring something fun and unusual to the table, or as is often the case in this film, to the bed (or the hallway, chair or some other nearby vehicle for some nice sex).

Mr. Schneider (below, left) alone would be reason enough to give the movie a try, but here his co-stars include a  raft of interesting actresses, leading off with Melanie Lynskey (below, right) who play his soon-to-be estranged wife. Between them stands the lovely Anna Camp (from Forgetting the Girl and True Blood) who plays a young woman Schneider meets at church, who dearly wants some raucous sex but feels terribly god-guilty afterwards.

Also on hand are Heather Graham (below, right), as the corporate woman par excellence; Ashley Hinshaw (shown at bottom, right) as a lady who wants only sex and no other connection (this confuses our hero mightily); and Heather Lawless, as an old friend from his campfire days, who, due to a reunion, resurfaces.

The young lady who matters most, however, is Edie, the Schneider character's young daughter, for whom our hero desperately tries to create a safe new home. As played by a young actress (Audrey Scott, below, right) who looks and acts just a bit too old for the role, Edie is sweet and endearing, if not always entirely believable.

The same could be pretty much said about this movie itself. It's enjoyable, well-acted, often amusing and sometimes even moving. But it trades a little too often and too tidily on sex as a way to get us -- and our hero -- through the (not so) dark night of the (somewhat shallow) soul.

Goodbye to All That, from IFC Films and running a swift 86 minutes, opens this Wednesday, December 17, in New York City at the IFC Center, and in Los Angeles on Wednesday December 24, at the delightful little Arena Cinema. Perhaps elsewhere, too.  In any case, it will simultaneously be available via VOD in most major markets.