Margarita Happy Hour

Emerges a surprisingly in-depth, wistful look at outgrowing a youth-only subculture.

Chaiken ably balances real-time rhythms with propulsive incident -- she catches subtler interior strains, too.

Stunning, beautifully observed character study.

Ms. Chaiken isn't much interested in melodramatic plot developments. Her talent lies in an evocative, accurate observation of a distinctive milieu and in the lively, convincing dialogue she creates for her characters.

Breaks in the film's otherwise smooth continuum, however, are bridged by Hutchins' soulful performance, and by Chaiken's excellent feel for the grace notes and steady tempo of native New York life, the sacredness of female friendship, and the precarious balance between love for oneself and for others.

Feels like a hazy high that takes too long to shake.

The production is as gaily colored as the margaritas, but the overall result is wan.