A handsomely produced, poignant coming-of-age drama. Not a revelation, arguably a bit maudlin, but well-constructed and satisfying. It reminds me of Penny Marshall's undervalued 2001 film Riding in Cars with Boys. The main attraction here is a colorful and magnetic performance by Woody Harrelson as an alcoholic, itinerant patriarch who is in turn charismatic and cruel, as full of fabulous promises as he is sharp edges. He is a pleasure to watch, creating a character we alternately sympathize with and despise, but cannot turn away from. There are also very fine performances by Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, and a host of child actors. The movie cuts between the past and the "present" (1989), and the former scenes are superior and more authentic in their emotions and textures...to the point I wish the film just employed a linear structure. The anemic subplot with the Wall Street fiancé mainly seems there to give the top-billed Oscar winner more scenes.

B