Drama of domestic ennui too subtle for its own good

By Frank Scheck

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - This tale depicting the quiet existential despair of a married architect who finds his feelings reawakened by an attentive single woman is so muted and internal in its focus that its entire running time feels like a preamble to a drama that never quite begins.

Patrick Wilson, in a role not too far removed from his adulterer in "Little Children," plays Will, a successful New York architect who seems to have it all: a beautiful, successful wife (Amy Smart), an adorable 7-year-old child and a career that's on the verge of taking off thanks to a prospective merger with a big firm.

But there seems to be something missing, as evidenced by an early scene in which he attempts to initiate some early morning sex only to be rebuffed by his hurried spouse. When he meets young retail designer Kate (Lynn Collins), he begins a quiet flirtation in which he pointedly forgets to mention his being married. When she finds out, she's so distraught by the revelation that she immediately moves to Los Angeles.

Although it's admirable that director-screenwriter Tracey Hecht refuses to infuse the proceedings with melodramatic plot elements, her tasteful restraint proves detrimental. Most of the drama takes place within Will's churned-up psyche, but though the handsome Wilson fulfills the physical aspects of his role perfectly, he's unable to provide the characterization with a depth that goes much beyond a general hangdog expression. Smart is similarly unable to infuse her thankless role with any significant texture. While Collins is highly appealing as the emotionally naked Kate, her character fails to come to life either.

The supporting players -- including Rashida Jones and such New York theater regulars as Fred Weller and Zak Orth -- provide some helpful colorful moments, but despite their efforts "Life in Flight" never quite manages to take off.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter