Inventing the Abbotts

REVIEW
A warm, thoughtful romantic drama whose story of class conflict and small-town pettiness brings to mind those Ross Hunter melodramas of the 1950s (but without the glitz). Set appropriately enough in the 1950s, the story is a nicely paced coming-of-age tale that follows the romantic exploits of two brothers from the wrong side of the tracks: Doug (Phoenix), the naïve narrator, and his smoother older brother Jacey (Crudup). Both brothers become involved with the three Abbott daughters, who come from the richest family in town. O'Connor captures the mindset of Eisenhower Americana while allowing his actors to fully explore the compelling characters deftly written by Ken Hixon. Phoenix and Crudup are both splendid, but best of all is Tyler as the youngest Abbott. She's a well-grounded romantic with stars in her eyes, passion to her breath, and purpose to her step.