Blu-ray/DVDebut: Giamatti, Rudd & Hawkins brighten Phil Morrison's ALL IS BRIGHT

The beauty and necessity of indie films stars are put on show in this little independent movie that came and went from theaters in the blink of an eye but can now find its place in film-goers' hearts and minds in a very good Blu-ray transfer that hits the street this coming Tuesday, November 19. ALL IS BRIGHT is about thievery and the criminal as-pect, among other movie constants such as family, love, divorce and coming to terms with what's best for your offspring.

As written by Melissa James Gibson (who penned several episodes of cable TV's The Americans this past season) and directed by Phil Morrison (shown at left, of Junebug), the movie is a parable of how to survive our current bleak economic times.

Those talented Pauls, Rudd and Giamatti, play criminal friends who also share a love for the Giamatti character's wife (Amy Landecker) and child (a talented newcomer named Tatyana Richaud). So Giamatti, just out of prison, on parole and needing immediate employment, talks Rudd into letting him replace another worker selling Canadian Christmas trees in New York City. (The scene in which Rudd tells that worker he's not needed, shot from a distance so that we cannot hear any of the dialog, is one of the film's sweetest, saddest and funniest.)

Down in New York City, Giamatti's first sale is to recent Russian immigrant played in fabulous style by that versatile British actress Sally Hawkins (above, right), who brings the movie a much-needed lift whenever she appears. Otherwise, the Pauls (below, with Rudd on the left) argue and sometime fight, finally managing to sell their trees and earn a nice bit of cash, while trying to convince the other that he's the wrong guy to head the family in question.

All Is Bright's a movie of small pleasures. Ace performances from everyone ensures that anyone who appreciates good acting will stick with the film. The writing too, is full of quirk, charm and a relatively high level of beliveability, given the combination of reality and sentimentality that hovers over the situation. Morrison directs in a simple, offhand manner that lets the actors grab the ball and run with it -- which they do at every opportunity (Morrison and Gibson have given them ample).

And that's pretty much it. There is an interesting viewpoint toward criminality here, what it does to our boys and how it comes back to bite them in the ass. There's also a smart look at immigrants in NYC, and at the haves and the have-nots. Nothing too deep, mind you; there is that air of sentimentality I mentioned earlier that comes home to rest at the finale. And yet. The writer and director and their cast manage to finally circumvent this just enough to let us feel the sadness and pain while exulting in the final decision made -- which seem the right one, considering all that we've come to know.

All Is Bright, from Anchor Bay Entertainment and running 107 minutes, is one of those worthwhile independent films that can easily escape notice. So be aware, particularly if you're a fan of this trio of fine performers.

Peretzes/Schisgal's OUR IDIOT BROTHER: Paul Rudd & ensemble shine in sweet film

"It's a sweet little movie" probably sounds like the kiss of death for a small independent film. That's unfair in this case because, for all its raunch  (there's a lot of it) and unpleasant family dynamics, OUR IDIOT BROTHER also delivers a wealth of good humor, charm, excellent performances from its ensemble cast, and another terrific one from the movie's linchpin Paul Rudd. What a smart and appealing actor this guy is!

The movie's opening is loose, easy and genuine, and the scene between Rudd's character, Ned, and a local policeman is just about perfect in terms of acting and writing, while this initial give-and-take lays out Rudd's character to a tee. Whatever else happens in the film, this scene acts as a touchstone for who Ned is (as well as a very canny use of police entrapment).

Directed by Jesse Perretz (shown at left) and written by David Schisgall and Evgenia Peretz, the film details a truckload of extremely passive-aggressive family antics and how the lead character of our "brother" impacts on this. In the process, family "values" get a good working over. (There is actually a fine example of active-aggressive in the movie, too. She is played by Kathryn Hahn, shown above, and she gives the film an extra energy jolt of anger whenever she appears -- which is just often to wake up the movie's pleasant demeanor.

Ned's sisters are played by a bevy of talented and smart beauties: Elizabeth Banks (above, left), Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer (above, right), and their significant others, are played respectively by Adam Scott, Rashida Jones and Steve Coogan (below). Ensembles don't come much more talented than this, and each actor brings home the bacon.

With all the characters heavily into denial -- including brother Ned to some extent -- it takes awhile to sort it all out. (Not too long, though: the film runs only 90 minutes).  In the process, we learn, yet again, that all is finally right with the world and there's a lid for every pot. While this discovery is hardly new and clearly not true, the filmmakers make it seem so, and getting there proves great, good fun. Mr. Rudd adds yet another fine role to his resume -- in fact, along with his great work in the under-seen (Two Days), this is one of his best.

Our Idiot Brother opens on Friday, August 26. Click here, here or here to see where the film is playing and perhaps procure tickets.