Iris's quaint country home seems the ideal distraction for Amanda, and Amanda's lush Hollywood mansion looks to be the perfect getaway for Iris. And they each, to no one's surprise, meet a man. Amanda is at first disappointed with the secluded English countryside - until she meets Iris's handsome brother Graham (Jude Law) who encourages her to break down her rigid barriers.

For Iris, it is Miles (Jack Black), a film composer friend of Amanda's ex, but he will first have to disentangle himself from his current flame. She also quickly makes a friend out of her new neighbour, Arthur (Eli Wallach), who turns out to be a legendary screenwriter of 1940s romantic comedies.

Sadly, the star couplings fail to click with any real wit or romantic magic. Diaz gets better as the film progresses, but overacts heavily through the first part, and never quite establishes a bond with Law. The nice surprise of the movie, however, is Jack Black. He seems to have been made presentable for the occasion, appearing relaxed and losing the manic tendencies that have become his brand. There's a good scene in which he acts out famous themes for Winslet in a video store.