The Hours author Michael Cunningham adapts his own earlier novel for the big screen in this warm relationship drama. Spanning three richly detailed decades from the 1960s onwards, it explores the complex bonds of love and friendship between former childhood friends, played as adults by Colin Farrell and Dallas Roberts. Reunited in early 1980s New York, the duo form an unconventional family with free-spirited older woman Robin Wright Penn. In a trio of beautifully nuanced performances, the actors breathe life into Cunningham's multilayered but meandering script. Farrell is particularly delightful, displaying a gentleness and vulnerability far removed from his laddish media persona. First-time director Michael Mayer skilfully balances the highs and lows of this left-field tale, marrying poignancy with a strong vein of wry humour. Despite some niggling clichés, it's an endearing ride - although the concentration on emotion rather than action won't appeal to everyone.

Three friends form a bond over the year, Johnathan is gay, Clare is straight and Bobby is neither, instead he loves the people he loves. As their lives go on there is tension and tears which culminate in a strong yet fragile friendship between the three.