Barrymore and Collette bring their 'A' game, while Hardwicke's stewardship is gloriously strong.

There's a tough-minded drama struggling to break through the movie's glossy veneer-a contemplation of the black hole of death that, sooner or later, becomes the center of life.

Is this really an honest portrait of a beautiful and intense friendship between women? What's intense about it, or beautiful, or honest?

Collette in particular does not shy away from the more prickly, selfish aspects of Milly, pushing her as far as she can without ever alienating the audience (even as she alienates her friends and family).