For anyone who prefers movies that are action packed and dependent upon plot to move them along, “Friends With Money” is probably not for you. The new film in limited release is a story about relationships that doesn’t revolve around any clearly defined plot. Rather, it focuses heavily on the dialogue and interactions that occur between a single woman, Olivia (Jennifer Aniston), her three wealthy and married friends, Christine, Jane and Franny (Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand and Joan Cusack, respectively) and their husbands.

Olivia is a laid back, thirty-something woman who has been working as a housekeeper since quitting her job as a teacher at an upper-class high school in southern California. She’s a pushover, as demonstrated when she accepts less than her standard rate when a new customer, who happens to be a total slob, asks for a reduction in the price. When Jane asks her why she didn’t stick to her rate, Olivia says that if he asked for a discount he must need the money more than she does.

Jane is a successful designer whose clothing line has made its way into some of the most exclusive Los Angeles boutiques. Her husband Aaron is frequently mistaken for being gay and is the designer and owner of a company that manufactures organic bath products. Jane has just celebrated her 43rd birthday and has begun a downward spiral into depression over middle age, pulling away from her husband and friends.

Christine and her husband Patrick are screen writing partners with an increasingly rocky relationship. After deciding to add a second story to their home, Christine discovers that the construction has ruined their neighbors’ view as well as their friendships with them, and it bothers her. Unfortunately it doesn’t bother Patrick. While this and some other seemingly minor instances aren’t earth shattering events or discoveries in and of themselves, they are indications to Christine of a larger problem; Patrick is a callous man. Whether he was always that way or whether he has transformed into being a completely a self-centered person, we don’t know.

Franny and her husband Matt are the wealthiest and the happiest of the three couples. At Jane’s birthday celebration, Franny admits under pressure that they are donating $2 million to their son’s private school. Franny is Olivia’s oldest friend and her link to the world of the wealthy. She wants to see her happy, married and settled in life and even goes so far as to offer to pay for a therapist for Olivia. Franny and Matt’s independently wealthy lifestyle has left them disconnected from the world around them.

A phenomenal cast and a great script carry this movie that looks at real life and real relationships. Does money make people happy? Does success? Can people from two different socioeconomic groups relate as well as those within the same socioeconomic group?

Aniston’s character recollects her role in “The Good Girl” more than that of Rachel on “Friends.” Of course, if she continues to try so hard to separate herself from the image of Rachel, she may find herself feeling typecast in a whole new way: the gorgeous slacker next door. Cusack is as endearing as ever as bored but kind Franny, Keener brings a humanity to her character that makes you believe and empathize with her suffering and McDormand is brilliant as a woman who becomes depressed when she realizes she is past the point of wondering what her life is going to be like “when she grows up.”

Simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious, “Friends With Money” takes a head on look at a distinct group of people. Although rather shocking and crude at times, adults who enjoy an occasional film that knocks you down then picks you up should enjoy “Friends With Money.” Of course, if you’re a cynic like my friend Kristine, you might just get knocked back down again, but with a hopeful perspective you might find there’s more to this flick.

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