1600 Penn quickly announces itself as a slapsticky, family-driven alternative to HBO’s restlessly scathing Veep.
Payne’s lovely, resonant fifth film does the hula on a lonely island of imminent death and wasted life.
On the basis of About Schmidt, you’d think Alexander Payne had a problem dealing with grief.
Part Coen brothers and part James L. Brooks, Alexander Payne makes comedies about serious stuff like abortion and midlife crises.