Management - B

In theaters. Rated PG-13, 93 minutes. Trailer.

Management is an uneven but surprisingly touching and funny film. Starring Steve Zahn as the man-child Mike and Jennifer Aniston as his love interest, Sue, the film creates real relationships but veers wildly as the story unfolds. Mike lives in and helps run his parents motel in Kingman, Arizona, where he strikes an unlikely and forced friendship with Sue, a short term guest at the hotel. After she lets him touch her butt (and more), he pursues her like a romantic puppy dog. Click below for more Management.

He shows up at her office in Maryland, and they get to spend a little time together, then they see eachother occasionally until she quits her job and moves to Aberdeen, Washington to live with her ex-boyfriend, ex-punk Jango (Woody Harrelson). Mike follows her there but isn't succesful, despite lots of trying. He then has a spiritual crisis, grows up a little and then again goes after her.

Zahn is funny and earnest in his portrayal of Mike, a semi-realistic character, and Aniston puts in another solid dramedy performance as she leads a life of quiet desperation. Zahn's friendship with his Chinese friend was good and funny - the same goes for Harrelson, who plays the weirdo boyfriend perfectly.

The film's tone is silly for the first half, then goes all sappy, which I completely bought. I found myself really wrapped up in how the film played out - a rarity. I may hate sci-fi, but sappy love stories apparently are my soft-spot. A solid film.