This is definitely time I won't get back. The movie was horrible. You felt no sympathy for any of the characters and honestly I don't know what mother would leave her children and a good stable life to return to the gutter she climbed out of. RUN.

what a total waste of my time! do not waste your time, thinking that this movie '''may''' have some '''pick-up''' due to the cast!

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start with crappy story, and add a terribly written script with the most unsympathetic, unlikeable main character I've ever encountered, and that's the basis for this film. Robin Wright Penn plays a stupid, stupid, pathetic (but not sympathetic) white trash drinker who stupidly gets herself into situations that end up causing grief and misery for others. And she does a horrible job, with an outrageously bad accent. Sean Penn and Travolta have some decent moments but both go over the top. (Interestingly, Travolta's charisma really pops off the screen here. His presence is very vibrant.) Harry Dean Stanton and Debbie Mazur are fine, maybe good, but they are typecast, and you can feel that in the performances) The best performance is by James Gandolfini, who is right on target.On the whole, a waste of an hour or two. It could be argued that this is pretty misogynistic, considering the way it was written and played.. There ain't nuthin' lovely about this movie.

John Cassavetes' script directed by his son, Nick.
Since John Cassavetes was an alcoholic, I'm sure a lot of these frenzied characters and fierce emotions were based on his own life experiences. Interesting.