A most successful HBO mini series, written by Richard Russo (novel and screenplay), as enjoyable as his earlier Paul Newman collaboration Nobody's Fool. Maine. A diner owner (Ed Harris, great as always) wants to branch out and join forces with local bar owner (Estelle Parsons); has to overcome hurdles of town matriarch Joanne Woodward and ex-friend cop William Fichtner (perhaps familiar from Entourage).
Meanwhile he's also dealing with dad Paul Newman, who's a bum, brother Aidan Quinn, friendly waitress Theresa Russell, prickly ex-wife Helen Hunt (perfect casting) and her arsehole fiancé Dennis Farina and - most importantly - his fragile daughter Danielle Pannabaker, who befriends outcast Lou Taylor Pucci, with tragic results.
As though this wasn't enough Harris is dealing with past recollections involving his mother Robin Wright Penn and her lover Philip Seymour Hoffman.
There's a backdrop of a failed town with former industries deserted and gone, and a horrible cat.
It's tangy, bitter-sweet, funny, mournful, warm and shocking, and manages not to wrap things up too neatly.
Photographed by Ian Baker, music by Paul Grabowsky.
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