Lawrence Kasdan has always been a favorite of mine. With a resume that includes Silverado, The BIg Chill, The Accidental Tourist, Grand Canyon, and a co-writing credit for Raiders of the Lost Ark, Kasdan excells in character studies.

Mumford is his first film since the lightweight French Kiss and the heavy-handed Wyatt Earp, and it marks a welcome return to quirky characters and offbeat charm. Loren Dean plays beloved psychiatrist Dr. Mumford--a doctor with a huge client list who happens to live in the town of Mumford.

The film doesn't really have a plot; instead, it's more of a series of strange situations that really seem to work thanks to great writing and sharp directing. The spectacular cast includes Dean, Alfre Woodard (Grand Canyon), Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves), Ted Danson (Cheers), Pruitt Taylor-Vince (Heavy), and David Paymer (City Slickers). The standouts are Hope Davis as the patient that Dean finds himself drawn to and Jason Lee (Chasing Amy) as a sweet-natured modern mogul.

Kasdan has fashioned a charming, unpredictable slice of life about love, friendship, and second chances. It's a great film.