She's So Lovely-the most unexpectedly great film of all time?

Let me start by saying that if you don't like Sean Penn, you won't like this film, or this thread. I anticipate many people who will try to shoot me down, as this film has been flamed in certain places. I picked it up, thinking "cute title, it's got Sean and Robin Wright Penn in it, probably a witty little love story".

And therein lies it's power. If you have't seen this film, but love songs with about fifteen different choruses (AND Sean Penn), you may well enjoy She's So Lovely. Some call it uneven and errati. I loved it. The result of a script by Ol' John Cassavettes and the cheeky direction of his son Nick, this is an offbeat comedy, tragic love story, and smoky noir all in one. Harry Dean Stanton also plays a mumbling drunk, which I enjoyed. I've often thought that if I made an independent film, I would NEVER people it with mainstays like Stanton, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H Macy, or Parker Posey, though I'd gargle chili peppers to work with Johnny Depp. Nothing against those folks, but I'm sure that a lot of people switch off when they see their name above the title, making a lot of unfair assumptions about said film.

But Sean Penn does a damn good job as a lovable asshole here without annoying quirks or (too much) histrionics, espcially in one incredibly tender scene that could have rung false.

I guess a lot of people may have problems with the final third of the film, particularly with John Travolta as a witty asshole. But I really enjoyed not being able to second guess this film. I guess it was one of those days.