Slums of Beverly Hills - Region 1 DVD

Writer-director Tamara Jenkins clearly loves these characters, and her film has the feel of good-natured autobiography, set in 1976 (without indulging phony nostalgia) and using rich, character-related comedy to express the understanding that all families are dysfunctional in their own functional way. Whether Vivian is allowing a new neighbor (indie-film regular Kevin Corrigan) to touch her breasts or taking cousin Rita's favorite vibrator for a euphoric test-drive, Jenkins and the wonderfully sardonic Lyonne maintain a fine balance of hilarity and sexual awkwardness while giving equal time to Vivian's taunting siblings and well-meaning father. Consisting of loosely connected episodes that add up to a vivid family portrait, this remarkably well-cast film will be a treat for anyone who remembers (or is still going through) the emotional minefield of adolescence. --Jeff Shannon