Peace, Love and Misunderstanding

Jane Fonda spoofs her own Vietnam-era radical persona as a hippie flower child turned aging earth mother in Bruce Beresford's amiable if totally synthetic domestic comedy-drama. Fonda plays Grace, a still-blooming relic of the Woodstock generation who lives in the town near the site of the famous 1969 concert, acting as unofficial den mother for the local folk who are still dedicated to ‘60s ideals (including the joys of pot). Some 20 years have passed since she's seen her uptight daughter Diane (Catherine Keener), who had Grace arrested when she tried to sell weed at Diane's wedding. Now, devastated by her priggish husband's demand for a divorce, Diane abruptly takes their kids—Columbia freshman Zoe (Elizabeth Olsen) and her younger brother Jake (Nat Wolff), an aspiring filmmaker—for a visit to grandma. In scenes that vary from teary and heartfelt to nostalgic and comic (some inevitably reinforced with grass-smoking sessions), Grace and Diane gradually reconcile and the kids are given the opportunity to appreciate their grandmother's freewheeling spirit. And all three visitors find unlikely romances—Diane with an ingratiating carpenter/songwriter, Zoe with an easygoing local butcher, and Jake with a sweet young coffeehouse waitress. Almost nothing in Peace, Love and Misunderstanding rings true, neither the syrupy dramatic moments nor the broad sitcom-ish scenes, but it is good-natured and eager to please—and many will enjoy Fonda's time-warp act. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)