Helen Hunt does wonderful work starring in this romantic comedy-drama which she also directed, co-produced and co-wrote, based upon Elinor Lipman's book. She's a 39-year-old Jewish schoolteacher, childless and about to be divorced from her 'best friend,' who harbors old wounds about being adopted (and has conflicted emotions about adopting a child herself). After reuniting with her biological mother, a well-meaning TV celebrity, Hunt begins dating a new guy, only to find herself pregnant by her soon-to-be ex-husband. Although the film's conception is overly-precious, with editing choices and scene transitions designed to be flippant or cute, Hunt gets terrific performances from her cast (most notably from herself, as the actress has not been this flexible or willowy on-screen in years). New love-interest Colin Firth is bursting with anxieties and torments, and yet it's easy to see why Hunt considers him the one man who truly understands her: their self-doubts and insecurities match and mellow each other out. As with most modern movies, these working people seem to have unlimited time at their disposal for reunions, heartfelt conversations or angry confrontations. Still, some of the dialogue is testy in the exact right way, as if the characters are challenging one another to drop their pretenses and tell the truth. The film has intricate problems--and it jumps too far ahead in time near the finish to make it a wholly satisfying or moving experience--but it does have Hunt and Firth, and they are lovely to watch. *** from ****