Heavy

Set in an isolated upstate New York diner, Heavy follows Victor (Pruitt Taylor Vince), a shy overweight pizza chef who falls in love with sweet, beautiful waitress Callie (Liv Tyler). They form a compassionate friendship, helping each other deal with day-to-day crises. Writer/director James Mangold treats his characters with true regard and feeling, while the actors give rich performances, showing their characters' weaknesses and vulnerability in a manner that is painfully realistic. Perhaps the best aspect of Heavy is in the way the characters change only slightly by the end of the film, ultimately mimicking the sometimes-slow process of human growth. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (L. Russo)