Motive flounders chiefly because it expends lasting suspense by providing the audience with all the hard facts they need up front, subsequently granting them an invitation to leave the party early.

The Goodwin Games isn't a sophisticated comedy by any means, but its overall lightheartedness manages to save it from becoming completely dull.

With Family Tree, Christopher Guest refurbishes the often tedious stunted-male coming-of-age scenario with his distinct, gently despairing, satiric stylings.