This movie is an outstanding example of "method" filmmaking -- in EVERY aspect: not only the actors, but the director, writers (which include the actors), and the crew all worked in this style, playing on instinct, on their gut reactions.
The performances are varied and uniformly excellent. The characters are intriguing and sometimes funny, though mostly sad. The actors all came up with their characters, did a lot of research and improvising, and the director supervised it all and brought it together (rather like a Mike Leigh film). The camera work is fine, as well, along with the sound, which incorporates a lot of overlapping dialog (rather like an Altman film).
Rent the DVD if you can and watch the documentary by Darryl Hannah, and listen to the TWO commentary tracks by some of the actors and by the director. It's all fascinating.
