The film features fantastic performances by Janet McTeer and Kimberly J. Brown as the mother and the daughter, respectively, and watching the film, it becomes apparent that McTeer's Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination for best actress were both well deserved. Pervasive throughout the film is a sense of "realness," the dialogue feels as if it is how the characters should actually talk, and the cinematography makes the viewer often feel like they are in the middle of what is unfolding onscreen.

While the film is at times predictable, it is generally a very enjoyable film. Although the film is clearly a dramatic story, the film contains a fair amount of laughs along the way. I recommend it more highly for women than for men, but McTeer's performance is one of the great performances of the year and makes this film worth seeing.

The Picture:
Tumbleweeds is presented in both widescreen and full screen versions, with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, which is enhanced for widescreen televisions. The images are generally fairly clear and the colors and fleshtones are very good.

The Sound:
The sound presentation on Tumbleweeds is Dolby Digital 2 Channel. However, there are no discernable disruptions in the sound and the dialogue is generally clear and easy to hear without volume adjustment. The director's commentary may also be accessed through the audio select button on most DVD controllers, allowing a viewer to go back to a scene and listen to the commentary without having to go back to the menu screen. Extras:
The DVD contains a fair share of extras, with cast and crew bios; the theatrical trailer; DVD-Rom "Script to Screen" comparison; a link to the official website; and commentary by the Director, Gavin O'Connor who also has a sizeable role in the film. The director's commentary is among the more enjoyable I have listened to in a while. The director is very humble in speaking about his own efforts but is constantly attempting to describe the entire process that went into making the movie. O'Connor describes the origins of the story, getting such a great performance from newcomer Kimberly O'Connor, the theory behind the film's cinematography, and the trials and tribulations of making the film. The commentary is both informative and engaging and adds to the enjoyment of the film. Final Thoughts:
Tumbleweeds is unquestionably a women's story. The script, the acting, and the film direction, however, make the film one which can be enjoyed by everyone. The film does contain a couple graphic scenes that the timid might want to avoid, and at times the pace of the film may be a bit slow, but all in all it is an enjoyable film.