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The tagline says, "An existential comedy", and just as I can't tell you exactly what that means I can't really tell you everything that makes this film so good. It's all over the place and very offbeat but it all works somehow. David O Russell is a wonderfully gifted and original filmmaker that (in all his films) recalls the wit and zaniness of the great Preston Sturges, who mastered the screwball dark comedies. There are endless philosophical themes and issues raised here, but what makes the film so wonderful is the the fact that the filmmakers never take that beyond it's outrageous comedic intentions. There's all this serious and deep thought-provoking dialogue of philosophy and meaning, yet the films tone is so chaotic the result is a wildly hilarious, and intelligent film. The performances are all absolutely outstanding by the entire cast (Jason Schwartzman, Lily Tomlin, Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Isabelle Huppert), but especially terrific are Jude Law and Mark Wahlberg. Also, Jon Brion provides a brilliant musical score that adds an entire new dimension and emotional depth to the film. The film can be broken down and viewed on many levels, but is ultimately and quite simply an intertwining of characters who through their own philosophical view points find themselves."How am I not myself?"
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