This movie presents itself as a straightforward drama, mirroring real-life events without any documentary style narration. The themes and characters are simple, though lacking in entertainment value—though that’s typical for dramas, especially among dedicated fans of the genre. It doesn't offer much beyond depicting reality or conveying messages, making it potentially boring for viewers who aren't feeling up to it. I didn’t find it tedious myself, but others might. The plot lacked a central focus, existing somewhere between a children's film and an exploration of adult issues, though on a small scale with significant consequences. It seemed driven by the two core elements: a death that initiated the story, and a shop that propelled its progression. These topics occasionally surfaced, while other scenes felt like filler, simply showing the characters going about their daily lives to extend the film’s runtime. The screenplay wasn't at its strongest, deviating from traditional character development arcs. I anticipated seeing a strong bond emerge between the two boys as they got to know each other, but that didn’t happen; it felt too casual and realistic. Similarly, the adult characters’ handling of the shop issue reflected typical hesitation and concern within families. The film might resonate with those who have experienced similar situations—either tested friendships or navigated sensitive issues affecting loved ones. > ❝Once again, our warm, lovable, unwise father has left us a big mess and no instructions.❞ The story revolves around two families connected by a building. It begins with a Manhattan family arriving in Brooklyn for the funeral of their father, where they meet the family renting out the ground-floor shop. The young boys from both families quickly become close friends following the ceremony. However, when their parents start dealing with the shop’s issues, those children face difficulties and their friendship is challenged. What follows is the unfolding of events. The film seems inspired by the saying, "a friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship," expanding it to encompass both the younger characters' perspectives and the adults'. The youngsters generally don’t let money affect their friendships, but for the adults, financial matters are serious concerns. Thus, ‘business’ becomes associated with the parents, while ‘friendship’ connects their children. The central conflict involves many people needing a resolution without causing harm. However, much of the film was consumed by scenes unrelated to this core issue, overlooking opportunities to concentrate on what it could have excelled at. I thought the casting was the best aspect of the movie, particularly the young actors. Alfred Molina, who appeared in the director’s previous film, had a brief cameo role lasting about a minute, and the rest of the cast performed adequately, including Greg Kinnear. Despite its runtime of just under 90 minutes, the pacing felt slow. It's not for everyone; watching it on television with commercial breaks would likely prove unbearable without considerable patience due to its dullness. The film seems more suited for film festivals, where it fared reasonably well, though some viewers will undoubtedly find merit in it. I’m conflicted—I liked and disliked the movie. It was an average production that missed a chance to be something special. I'm unsure why, but I still feel inclined to recommend it. _5/10_

Source on TMDB