Christine Jesperson (Miranda July) is a video artist desperate to get her work in Nancy Herrington (Tracy Wright)'s show. Richard Swersey (John Hawkes) is a recently separated shoe salesman with sons Peter and Robby. One day, Christine is driving her "Eldercab" to take Michael to buy shoes and Richard talks her into buying a pair herself. They begin a long hesitant romance. Meanwhile everybody they know is searching for connections in odd ways. Peter becomes entangled in Heather and Rebecca's sexual curiosity with Richard's boss Andrew. Robby gets into an internet sexual liaison with an unknown figure who turns out to be someone they know. Sylvie with her hope chest is infatuated with Peter.

The two girls are the most shocking. Robby is the scariest. Peter and Sylvie are the most touching. With all these kids dealing with these adult situations, the leads' romance actually seems tame by comparison. It's odd that the central characters don't measure up to their costars but that's the case here. It's quirky and offbeat but I wouldn't call it charming. The movie threatens to go dark with the kiddie material but it backs off before it goes overboard. Miranda July and John Hawkes are doing some interesting acting. They are endearing in their own sections.

The intertwined stories (aren't those always the best?) of a man trying to raise his children, a woman working on an art project, a shoe store, girls exploring their sexuality, a museum director and kids addicted to ASCII art. The plot is minimal, but the stories are epic.

This film is strong for one key reason: it explores real-life situations in a way that is real and yet funny, especially on topics other films would fear to tread into. There's two girls who explore their sexuality, and the film does not shy away from this despite them being underage (they have unusual encounters with a younger man and a much older man). It doesn't reach the creepy level of "Happiness", but it's creepy enough. We have interracial marriage and child-raising, which is something I think films try to avoid yet, despite it existing everywhere. Even coprophilia is explored, and that's just weird.

All the actors are great. All of them. The artist (who I think is also played by the writer/director) was annoying and I could have used less of her, but she played her role well. The kids were fantastic, particularly the younger brother. The lead man, who looks almost like Sean Penn, was better than Penn will ever be.

Why I watched this movie: because of the infamous "poop back and forth" scene. Although this scene is great, timeless and humorous to no end, it doesn't even compare to some other scenes. The film as a whole is something everyone should see. Well, maybe not everyone. And be careful who you watch this with, because I'd feel awkward seeing it with my mom.

Not much to say on this one... it's just really good. Real people with real stories. Watch it. Seriously. Put it on your list of films you want to see, and see it in the next month or you'll make me cry. And if you ever meet the writer, ask her if she likes bologna.

Miranda July's "Me and You and Everyone we Know" was a surprise. It shows a new director with an inquisitive mind who doesn't get scared of tackling important issues. Ms. July shows a light touch to this story about the life of people trying to connect in this complex world we are living.

The center of the story focuses on Richard, a shoe salesman, who one sees at the beginning of the film in the process of separation from his black wife. He will keep the children, the teen age Peter, and the younger Robby. Little prepares him in the way his life will have to adjust with the new responsibilities. We don't get to see why the couple is splitting; they evidently fell out of love and she has decided to move on, while Richard is still trying to understand what happened to him.

The two boys are left to fend for themselves most of the time. As children will be children, they get involved in chatting on line. The exchange between Robby and his correspondent is hilarious. The young boy is way too wise for his young years. He is a city slicker and knows how to deal with the situation of the possible pedophile stalking him. At the end we get to realize who the person that has been chatting with him really is.

On a separate vignette we see Christine, a woman who does videos where she is the subject and the principal character. Christine also runs a car service for senior citizens in her area, but we mostly see her driving her old grandfather. Christine sees Richard at the store and she can't keep her eyes from him. Evidently it's love at first sight with the reluctant Richard.

One of the two other chapters in the film involves two aggressive and precocious teen age girls who go after one of Richard's co-workers who live in the neighborhood. And in the second we meet the lonely girl who loves to shop for the dowry that she will eventually have for when she gets married. She is a sad little girl who obviously lives in her own world without sharing anything with friends and neighbors.

The final film of the movie seems to be the key for understanding what is behind all what Ms. July has presented to us, so far. There is a man waiting at a bus stop tapping a coin against a side pole. Little Robbie who has had, almost what could have been a horrible experience, stands by this fellow and asks what is he doing. The answer: passing time, which seems to fit all the situations we have witnessed in the film.

The best thing of the movie is John Hawkes. He is a no nonsense actor that contributes enormously to the mood and all what we have seen in the film. Miranda July is also appealing as the lonely and quirky woman looking to fulfill her life with someone she can give her boundless energy and love. The two boys, Miles Thompson and Brandon Ratcliff are delightful to watch because they are normal kids and not the stereotypes one watches in main stream features.

Ms. July is a new voice to be reckoned with.