Surprisingly incoherent and boring

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

A movie in which a woman explores her sexuality - including hiring a sex worker, trying out Ecstasy, dipping her toe into lesbianism, and engaging in a friendly-and-perhaps-more flirtation with a man outside her social class - and absolutely nothing bad happens because of it?That's so radical that this movie got overlooked by a great many people who should know better. Great performances across the board, notably by a stunningly beautiful Queen Latifah as the potential lesbian love interest.Highly recommended for anyone who knows that an open, experimental sexuality should be everyone's right.

I loved this movie...for all of its parts and for the whole of it. Holly is at her finest, Danny's magnificent and Latifah is, as always, gorgeous and honey-like. Whether you're straight or gay, male/female, young or old, frustratedly married or happily co-habitating, there's at least one scene where you're going to say, "Hey, that's me". How refreshing to see a coming of age, angst ridden plot featuring characters that are 40-somethings instead of the usual teen version of same. (Why should kids have all the fun of self-doubt, self-consciousness and self flagellation.) This movie is sensitive to the universal themes of the meaning of life, the need for love and the search for relevance. Try it, I guarantee you'll like it. (Just don't rent it for a boys night in....way too much emotion.)

Living Out Loud is a very complete film in its use of good telling, quirky casting and an dynamic use of music. Mr. LaGravenese has made a triumphant transition from screenwriter to director. Holly Hunter is brilliant in the role of Judith, one of the most emotionally complex woman that I've seen on the screen in ages. Hunter is a bundle of pent-up sexuality and rage that explodes as her safe upperclass NYC life begins to unravel. Danny Devito is a good actor who when given the right script becomes a great actor. He is perfect as the unlucky recently divorced elevator operator trying to catch a break. Queen Latifah is awesome. Her talent is natural and honest. She is the most interesting black female in film today(second only to Alfre Woodard or Angela Bassett). Martin Donovan is cinema's best kept secret. His talent is also very natural as can be seen in his other work(Insomnia, The Oppsite of Sex, etc). If you are looking for a film about 'self-discovery', this is the film for you.

There's a lack of good romantic movies out there. This is one of the few. What impressed me most about "Living Out Loud" is the relationships of each character are based on friendship and understanding, rather than jumping into bed with one another the minute they meet eyes. The character interactions are very realistic, with the help of Richard LaGravanese's sharp dialogue. And the first-class actors make the situations even more real. Holly Hunter carries her role like she was born to play it. Hunter never ceases to impress me with her performances. She often picks the best scripts and the best roles, and even if she's given a trite, forgettable role she tries her best to muster whatever she can out of it. She never sleeps through a role. And I have to say, this is one of her best performances, the highlight of her career. Danny DeVito is great as usual, proving yet again his enormous scope as both a comedic and dramatic actor. This is one of his more subtle, disciplined performances and one to remember. And we have the talented Queen Latifah. One of our musicians-turned-actors who (guess what?) can act! And very well!"LOL" has moments of humor and moments of truth. It's a true original. A film that provides great entertainment and great insight. Well-written, well-acted and well-directed. It works in all departments. How often do you watch an honest romantic comedy that doesn't use cinematic conceits and cheap plot devices, and builds up without any rushed energy strictly on the will of the characters? It rarely happens, and that is why I strong recommend this movie. My score: 8 (out of 10)