Rock's breakthrough as a director -- a chance for him to grapple openly with his status as a maturing (but still ostensibly immature) comedian.

One of the film's key revelations is that his resistance to having an affair comes as much from wishing to maintain his lifestyle (the high-paying job, the nice house, the kids) as from loyalty to his wife. Why sharp observations like that one would need

Neither stylistically innovative nor particularly entertaining.

A laugh-less comedy, an unmoving drama, and a ragtag assemblage of feeble characters spouting pathetic dialogue.