In the Land of Women marks the directorial debut of Jon Kasdan (son of Lawrence and brother of Jake) and at the very least, the young film maker has inherited his father's gift for creating offbeat but realistic characters. And in fact, as was the case with Jake's recent film (The T.V. Set), Jon has fashioned a movie that's far superior to his father's last venture (the insipid Dreamcatcher).

The charming and bittersweet In The Land of Women, stars Adam Brody as an aspiring screenwriter Carter Webb whom, after being dumped by his girlfriend, journeys far away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood to the comfort of his eccentric grandmother Phyllis (played by a feisty Olympia Dukakis). After settling in, Carter quickly develops a unique bond with his grandmother's neighbor, an emotionally distraught woman named Sarah Hardwicke (played by Meg Ryan). Shortly thereafter, he also becomes an emotional crutch for Sarah's teenage daughter Lucy.

In the Land of Women is filled with wonderful little nuances, and Kasdan has an undeniable knack for working with actors. The screenplay is full of richly textured characters, and this terrific ensemble lends real flesh and bone to these people.

Adam Brody is charming as the boyish twenty something Carter. He's both lovable and vulnerable and brings to mind a late 80's John Cusack. Meg Ryan is fantastic as Sarah - a woman going through a mid life crisis of sorts. Had Ryan not played this role just right, it could have brought the film down around it, but the veteran brings complexity and emotional depth to this confused woman. Kristen Stewart is sensational as Lucy. As a wise beyond her years teenager, Stewart soars. Her chemistry with Brody flows from the screen in palpable waves.

Kasdan takes this story and these characters in interesting directions, and he does so with a veteran's touch. The various relationships that develop are complex, honest, and most of this stuff really rings true. But being the youthful spirit that Kasdan is, he also acknowledges the films he grew up on (namely, the works of John Hughes). And in fact, one of my favorite sequences of In the Land of Women involves a reluctant Carter escorting Lucy to a typical high school party where he must confront a jealous boyfriend. Almost immediately, I was transported back to the 80's when films like Some Kind of Wonderful and Say Anything reigned supreme.

In The Land of Women does falter, particularly in the final act. There are a few storylines that are wrapped up a little too quickly (and neatly), and I was never entirely sold on the relationship (or lack thereof) between Carter and his grandmother. Dukakis is terrific here, but we never really see any sort of closeness between she and her grandson, and Phyllis' final moment in the movie is extremely predictable.

In the Land of Women is drawing big time comparisons to Zach Braff's indie darling Garden State, and while there are certainly similarities, the core of this movie is vastly different. But like Braff, I suspect that Jon Kasdan is going places. In the Land of Women isn't a perfect motion picture experience, but it's a terrific first effort from a film maker with a lot going for him, namely youth and genetics.