Smart, sweet, and often very funny, "Landline" is a charming and poignant portrait of family dynamics and relationship struggles at all of life's stages.

Thanks to a sharp script and understated but very enjoyable performances from the film's cast, it tells an emotionally honest story, one that truly earns the feelings it evokes.

What's it about?

Set in 1995 New York City, "Landline" focuses on the Jacobs family -- dad Alan (John Turturro), working mom Pat (Edie Falco), soon-to-be-married older sister Dana (Jenny Slate, "SNL") and rebellious kid sister Ali (Abby Quinn).

Every member of the Jacobs clan has something going on that they're not quite sure what to do about. Dana's questioning her identity and life choices, and tempted when she reconnects with an old college flame (Finn Wittrock). Ali's smoking cigarettes, sneaking out to clubs at night with friends, and experimenting with sex and drugs.

And Alan -- well, Ali stumbles upon a secret her dad, the ad copy writer with romantic and thus far unfulfilled dreams of being a playwright, might be keeping from everyone.

Once Ali lets her sister on what she suspects, the sisters fumble as they try to figure out whether to tell their mother. The crisis inadvertently draws the two closer together, leading to further revelations, personal discoveries, and ultimately understanding.

Nostalgia for flavor, not for punch lines

Unlike other recent comedies that sought to use nostalgia as a predominant source of comic moments and set-ups, "Landline' uses the trappings of the 90's setting with a light touch. References that are uniquely a part of that decade are sprinkled throughout the script, from pink pantsuits (a la First Lady Hillary Clinton) to hours spent roaming Blockbuster Video looking for a movie to watch to CDs skipping in a player at inopportune times, just as flavor, rather than as punch lines.

Instead, the script by writer/director Gillian Robespierre and Elizabeth Holm draws its humor and heart from scenes of family drama that should resonate with audiences across generations. The fear of "forever" with just one person, the feeling of being invisible in one's own home, the temptation of the new mingled with the fear of real change -- all experienced in different ways by teens, young adults, and those in middle age, and all usually kept silent and secret, even to those we claim to love most.

Turturro, Falco terrific

The entire cast of "Landline" clicks, and that chemistry in large part results in just how engaging and enjoyable the film turns out to be.

There are a few standouts, however: Edie Falco and John Turturro turn in understated but pitch-perfect performances as a couple in an all-too-familiar emotional place, so focused on their professional lives and roles as parents that they've come to neglect each other over the years.

Abby Quinn also delivers stellar work as the headstrong Ali, firmly at that age where she goes about her business as though, duh, she does know everything, and its the old people who are clueless.

Worth seeing?

Like "The Big Sick" earlier this summer, "Landline" deserves to be seen thanks to the heart and wit in its stellar script as well as the cast's winsome performances.

If it comes to a theater near you -- currently the film is in limited release -- give it a chance, especially if you're hanging out with someone you've known since "back in the day."

Landline

Starring Jenny Slate, Edie Falco, Abby Quinn, John Turturro, Jay Duplass and Finn Wittrock. Directed by Gillian Robespierre.
Running time: 97 minutes
Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use.