I went somewhat reluctantly to this movie today - the selling point for me being that I would watch Gerard Depardieu read the phone book - in French. And. surprise, I was entertained and somewhat charmed. I agree that this movie proves once and for all that Queen Latifah can carry a film; it's hard to take your eyes off her expressive face - she knows the yearning and the simple pleasure in letting yourself live. It's not big yucks but there some pleasant chuckles and; for those silly snobs carping about mechanics, take a breath, eat some pork fat. It's an amuse bouche not a main course.

Yes, a little editorial restraint please and a lot less logrolling.

Cintra Wilson is to Salon what she thinks Jon Stewart was to Oscars. Booorrring.

Been there. Am there. Can we get a group rate/

Thank you, Garrison. I sent it to my little criminals and also the big one. And I light a yellow candle most evenings for my mother. But by just writing it...and my reading it (and, btw, I did produce on Broadway while mopping up and pouring Listerine), you offer me grace.

We're fortunate to have Anthony Bourdain's account. Honest, bare bones and without bias. A "privileged" visit to be sure but a true story - reporting in the truest sense of the word and tradition.

Ugh.

Just wait until all those little girls who are propelling the "dress up as a princess" industry now demand their fairy tale weddings complete with a prince, a castle and the absurd notion of "happily ever after." This is shameless consumerism and the parents who agree to pay for it are either compensating for their shortcomings in some area or just showing off for their associates and less-successful family members. Cut the cost in half and give the other half to charity, people.

this would definitely be problematic in the US; let's not

(once again) foist our morals on another culture. look what happened last time we tried that. the french survived mitterand's mistress without a blink. sarkozy has more pressing issues and that's what will concern his electorate. unfortunately for us, we have two hillary clinton bios that will serve as distractions from our equally vital issues.

Aren't you just a little too self-satisfied that

you have a trophy wife and the sperm still works?

And you want it all - again? It's still all about you.

I,too, think parenting these days is nauseating but you're

part of the problem, not the solution.

PS I had a friend who married a guy like you. Now they're divorced, he's dead and the boys have a stepfather who's a normal guy and an English teacher.

I'm glad I have long hair.

It covers mine up.

Thank you both so much for this exchange. I am in a similar orbit and find myself crying almost every day at what some might deem "small" things. Along the line of mourning, I am mourning the loss of one career (beautiful, tempestuous and unpredictable), my sons' as "mine" (I've given them wings and now they've chosen to fly), the life I have in a town that I had no choice in choosing, the financial straits in which we all find ourselves, the bleak tenor of our political times and, I suppose, the harsh truth of dreams, some realized, many deferred or give up.

How to mourn these things? In our world it's acceptable to mourn the losses of those loved - people, even pets? But these metaphysical losses...where is the trodden path?

I too am grateful for the beneficent gifts of my life - I want my mojo back!