This movie had great potential. With its superb cast, distinctive plotline and talented director, "Moonlight Mile" looked like a touching, intriguing movie. Unfortunately, its lack of substance, poor script and erratic design overshadowed the assets of the film. Yes, there were a few heart-wrenching moments, as well as some laughs and sighs of content, but not enough for what potentially could have been an award-winning, notable cinematic experience.In "Moonlight Mile," a young woman is accidentally killed a few weeks before her wedding. Her fiance, played by up-and-coming actor Jake Gyllenhaal ("The Good Girl"), is living with her parents (Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman) at the time because he was supposed to go into the real-estate business with her father. Needless to say, the trio are devastated by this abrupt death, and each deals with the pain of the tragedy in their own way. Secrets and lies abound with these characters, as they try to continue their day-to-day lives, but ultimately, the truth is unveiled as the parents and the fiance reveal their true emotions and thoughts.

This potent storyline, mixed with the immeasurable talents of Sarandon and Hoffman should have spawned an immense success. Instead, the shallow dialogue and mediocre direction repulsed the audience. It seemed as if the script was a rough draft that had promise, but needed numerous revisions before it was ready to be a final product. Additionally, the film had no flow to it, and scenes seemed to jump in awkward sequences. This problem blocked the viewer from any possibility of enjoying the film. A plotline with a new love interest of Gyllenhaal's seemed out-of-place and inappropriate as well.

"Mile" focused on Gyllenhaal's character more than anything else, including Sarandon and Hoffman. This was a colossal mistake on the director's part, and really angered and vexed me throughout the entire film. The previews had led the audience to believe that all three of the main characters were to be featured and examined thoroughly. Of course, this would have made perfect sense since the cast was phenomenal and deserved equal time. But, no. Sarandon and Hoffman were mere shadows of Gyllenhaal and were scarcely in the movie. Any glimpse of these two actors during "Mile" was a ray of sunshine and inspiration that gave the movie a bit of redemption. Still, it was not enough to entirely salvage the film.

Another highlight of "Mile" was the cameo role of Holly Hunter ("The Piano") as the parent's lawyer during the trial of the murderer. She gives a brief, but memorable performance as the firm, down-to-earth lawyer who has sympathy for the family, but must be blunt if there is any hope of winning the case. Since Hunter's last mainstream role was over two years ago (as Ulysses' wife in "O Brother, Where Art Thou"), her appearance in "Mile" is a brilliant comeback and worthy of recognition. Unfortunately, not enough concentration is given to Hunter, as with Sarandon and Hoffman.

If you are like me (a bit obsessive) and have a long, long list of movies you want to see, do yourself a favor, and take this one off it. Maybe it is worth renting if you are an avid Sarandon or Hoffman fan. Still, the redeeming qualities are not adequate to make up for the deficiencies.