By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * * )
This small-screen adaptation of Donald Marguiles' Pulitzer Prize-winning play was made for HBO, the American cable channel responsible for The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. So it's the sort of thing that used to be on Sunday Theatre before it became a bin
for unwanted English melodrama in two parts.
Gabe (Dennis Quaid) and his wife, Karen (Andie MacDowell), are precious food writers. Twelve years ago they introduced Beth (Toni Collette), an artist, to Gabe's college buddy, Tom (Greg Kinnear), a lawyer. Now, back from 10 days in Italy, they cook for their best friends. Only Beth shows up, eventually breaking down to tell them that Tom is leaving her for an air stewardess.
Tom learns that BETH has told their friends about his unfaithfulness. He arrives at Gabe's house to tell them his side of the story.
There follows a delicate, anguished, occasionally humorous tennis match of doubles as the four confront their individual and group reactions to the news. It's worth an evening: rent it on a Sunday night, perhaps.
Rental video, DVD: Out now
* DVD features: movie (94min); director's commentary.
