A filmmaker (played by producer David Austin) asks his son Chris (Jaymes) to videotape his dying days. And when he dies, family and friends gather in his house for a wake that turns into a rather tumultuous event for everyone. Chris is trying to reconnect with his ex (Tom), while his brothers Jeremy (Sisto) and Matt (Kesslar) have their own odysseys of drugs and sex, respectively, plus trouble with their partners. Into this mix come Dad's latest girlfriend (Greer), Chris' lovelorn pal (Healy), and various lovers, exes, partners and relatives.

The style of the film, which was shot on video in and around the house, and the fact that the characters use their own first names, adds a sense of authenticity, echoed in the video-within-a-film set-up. Jaymes put this project together after extensive rehearsals with the cast, and the resulting story is skilfully assembled with witty editing and a terrific song score by Belle & Sebastian. And besides being consistently funny and often hilariously wrong, the film also has some surprisingly thoughtful things to say.

The cast is exceptional, as each self-absorbed character is both likeable and pathetic. We understand why they crack jokes at the most inappropriate moments, and we can identify with their colliding obsessions and relational carnage. Sisto is the stand-out, with a raw, riveting performance as a guy whose crumbling-apart life might hint at a new direction. His scenes with Cole (as the new boyfriend of his stepsister, played by Jeremy's real-life sister Meadow) are a hysterical collision of addiction, confusion and barely suppressed sexuality.

As it comes together, the film feels like a fresh, smart, sparky variation on The Celebration crossed with Arrested Development. The acerbic dialog adds hilarity and emotion, catching the rivalries and loyalties, and the way our personal history messes with us every day of our lives, making it increasingly difficult to move forward. There may not be a tidy solution, but at least we have people around us who love us. Most of the time.

themes, strong language, drugs, sexuality

5.Jun.08