I watched this film on cable a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. The title is a takeoff on the song sung by Elvis Costello called “What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding”. The film title, however, fits the movie perfectly. Diane, an uptight NYC lawyer has always felt misunderstood by her hippie mother, Grace, who is played by Jane Fonda. But after Diane’s divorce, she takes her 2 teenagers upstate to visit their grandmother in Woodstock and stay for a few days. Diane’s visit turns out to be a little longer, as she falls in love with a local carpenter. The teenagers find love as well, and also become closer to their grandmother, not having seen her for many years (she shows them her pot plants!). As much as her mother annoys her, Diane does comes to see another side of Grace. The conflict between Grace and Diane really drives the film, especially when Diane finds out they share something a little too personal. It’s a light, feel good film to watch.
