The acting was great & very real. I think the slow-build was important to the character development & believability. I would say that the story-line being "predictable" (as some reviewers said) was more realistic than something less expected--which would have been cheesy & less believable. The only time the acting wasn't perfect was with the little boy--and he was just so darn cute that it really didn't matter. This movie is not always "pretty"--but the ugliness is worth it. And Jeff Bridges is perfect for making a sometimes appalling character likable. Maggie was also fantastic and beautiful. I just ordered the soundtrack--out mid-month. (Old-style country, not the new junk.) Go see it--you won't be disappointed.