Deep, absorbing, intense. A study of characters that are not what they seem. Meryl Streep joins Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Barbara Stanwyk showcasing the range and depth of her talent. I thought I had seen her best in " The Devil Wears Prada". She is like a chamelion from role to role. Philip Seymour Hoffman had me right up to the end. I too believed he was the one who would save the parish. How Subtle. He never disappoints in any role he takes on. For a movie with no special effects, no fast cars, loose women or a hip sound track, it was hands down one of the best movies I will see this new year.