Bad Manners

The (intellectual) games people play get an interesting spin when an academic couple living in rural New England--nicely played by John Sayles' regular David Strathairn and the often underappreciated Bonnie Bedelia--have another couple (Saul Rubinek, Caroleen Feeney) over for the weekend. A misunderstanding about some missing money triggers a series of conversational joustings touching on the nature of social intercourse that moves from the carefully civil to the deliberately cutting. Sexual gamesmanship plays a role, too, as Feeney's sexy blonde flirts with Strathairn's character's ego and libido. Based on the play “Ghost in the Machine,” Jonathan Kaufer's adaptation doesn't go too deep, but there are a few juicy encounters and plenty of tension afoot to maintain interest in this battle of wills among the well educated but emotionally disputatious. A strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)