Three of Hearts: A Postmodern Family

A streak of pitch-black humor, some bawdy detours and a touch of sanguine, sun-baked poetry Sam Peckinpah would have liked.

One of the smartest things Kaplan does, besides getting talented Boston folk singer Catie Curtis to contribute to the soundtrack, is hang around long enough to see how this three-headed relationship plays out.

The documentary fascinates not only because of its subject matter but because the three people - whose backgrounds are individually developed - are so likable.

The admirably tasteful result is a social study far more suited for the likes of Oprah Winfrey than Jerry Springer.

A significant development turns Susan Kaplan's documentary into a thought-provoking story.

At first seems like a pleasantly pat piece of verite advocacy for convention-breaking unions. But it gets really interesting once said relationship unexpectedly dissolves in ugly fashion, offering real-life voyeuristic appeal a la "Capturing the Friedmans."

Kaplan's decision to violate documentary principles by using songs to "narrate" some sections is simply irritating.