This is completely naturalistic filmmaking--unaffected performances and a gently meandering storyline that never gives us a clue where it's heading next. We wonder about the big scary man (the terrific Hounsou) living downstairs in the junkie apartment building. We worry about life on the mean streets of New York City. It's very realistic and gritty, but also extremely funny and heartwarming, centring on deeply personal issues of loneliness and frustration rather that major plot points. Performances are superb; the Bolger sisters are fantastic, and could easily be the progeny of Considine and Morton, who make their characters so honest that we travel this emotional journey right with them. There are a few obvious and preachy moments, and all the circle of life/multi-cultural melting pot stuff is rather contrived. But for a story about normal, everyday life (and death), this is an extraordinary film, really.