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"The End of Love"

U.S. Dramatic

*** ½ (three and a half stars)

Writer-director-actor Mark Webber's family tour de force is hard to get a handle on at first, but it's worth tuning in on its odd wavelength. Webber plays a character named Mark, who's an actor raising a 2 ½ year-old son, Isaac (played by Webber's own son, Isaac Love), struggling to make some money, and dealing with the pain of his wife's premature death. "Mark" tries a furtive romance with a play-center operator (Shannyn Sossamon), and finds himself partying with his more-successful acting friends (in a scene that includes Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, Aubrey Plaza and others playing variations of themselves). With natural performances (what other kind can you get from a toddler?) and intimate camerawork, Webber creates a tender character study of a dad desperately trying to do right by his kid.

— Sean P. Means

"The End of Love" screens again:

Sunday, Jan. 22, 9 p.m., Sundance Screening Room, Sundance resort

Monday, Jan. 23, 8:30 p.m., The MARC, Park City

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, Salt Lake City

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m., Eccles Theatre, Park City

Friday, Jan. 27, 8:30 a.m., The MARC, Park City