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"People Places Things"

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U.S. Dramatic

Between the heaviness often found in Sundance indies and the juvenilia of much Hollywood product, a light grown-up romance like "People Places Things" comes on like a refreshing spring rain. Director/writer Jim Strouse ("Grace Is Gone") tells of Will Henry (Jemaine Clement), a comic-book artist and teacher who learns his girlfriend Charlie (Stephanie Allynne) is cheating on him with Gary (Michael Chernus), a monologist. A year later, Will and Charlie are uneasily sharing custody of their six-year-old twin daughters (Aundrea and Gia Gadsby). When Charlie reveals she's pregnant, and she and Gary are getting married, Will tries to reconcile his feelings for Charlie through his art. He also strikes up a tentative romance with Diane (Regina Hall), a Columbia literature professor and mother of his best student ("The Daily Show's" Jessica Williams). Strouse crafts a witty, warm story that's quirky in its surface details and sweetly honest in its emotions. Clement is funny and touching as the heartbroken artist, and he and Hall have a sparkling chemistry.

- Sean P. Means

"People Places Things" screens in the U.S. Dramatic competition of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It screens again: Tuesday, 10 p.m., Redstone Cinema 2, Park City; Wednesday, 3 p.m., Yarrow Hotel Theatre, Park City; Thursday, 9:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City; Saturday, 8:30 a.m., The MARC, Park City.