The Shortest Distance Between Two Women

June 1, 2009
The Gilford family’s yearly reunion encompasses the lives of matriarch Marty Gilford and her four daughters, especially youngest daughter, Emma, 43, who has spent a good part of her life doing whatever her mother and sisters want without really thinking of herself. Then Samuel, a voice from her past, calls up to rekindle their romance and throws Emma’s well-ordered life into turmoil. Emma is forced to do some tough self-examination and to embrace her sisters for who they are—good and bad. Radish displays an intimate understanding of boisterous families, and as a veteran at portraying female relationships, her affection for her characters shines through, but she’s covering a lot of familial ground here, and it’s easy to confuse the characters. Also, the complaining, put-upon Emma is not totally sympathetic. While those familiar with Southern families will delight in a taste of home and there are many funny parts, overall, Radish’s latest falls short.