Aussie writer/director SARAH WATT confirms her promise as a filmmaker (after the revelatory "LOOK BOTH WAYS") with this achingly perceptive comic drama which looks at a year in the life of an ordinary middle class family living in suburban Melbourne. SASHA HORLER and MATT DAY are both entirely believable as young parents who attempt to make ends meet through economically and emotionally turbulent times in this quirky and moving Aussie flick. And while it does ultimately prove to be a bit of a "crowd pleaser?,the realistic characters and subtle dialogue ensures it?s never predictable nor manipulative and ,when you take time to scratch beneath the surface, it downright exudes many a home truth about the perils of modern society.

It begins with a promising dawn: Natalie, a suburban every-mum and her hard working good natured husband, Ross, start an undercover bonk, interrupted by their two adolescent kids. An ominous portent? Yes! An annus horribilis is about to test family, friend and pet relationships. In a series of monthly snapshots writer/director Sarah Watt warmly and humourously displays this battling Aussie middleclass family’s joys, hardships, frustrations and love. I wasn’t expecting this much reflective fun about a close-knit family trying to cope with and make sense of life’s minor and major trials. Though packed with numerous examples of the tacky, the ridiculousness of gross consumerism, and even a brush with religious salvation, it’s mostly a gleeful experience.

Why is it that Australian movies so often are about nothing at all? This one is so typical: absolutely nothing of interest happens. This was supposed to be better than 'Look Both Ways', the director's previous movie. Unfortunately, it's ten times more boring.