i wonder why i haven not hear of this movie before . it truly a magnificent comedy ( i would say farce and but it too well acted and i would hate to denigrate it quality ) . a comedic character study about the travail of mid life crisis and the inequity for gay who can not have their long time union recognize and and the general difference of people who can not fit nicely into society and that pair kathy bates and rupert everett to a wonderful effect . forget julia robert and rupert while kathy bates and rupert should do another movie together . the anxiety ridden and acerbic and outrageous daughter in law and maudie ( meredith eaton ) and be a truly wonderful character . if you like the tale of the city film and you would like this quirky charmer .