Keep Hold

Grubb (Getting Lost) parlays a skimpy premise into a serviceable contemporary set in Melbourne, Australia. After emergency nurse Claire’s girlfriend dumps her, Claire falls into a nightmare-plagued depression. In order to recover, she moves in with her pregnant ex-lover (and still good friend) Jess, and Jess’s wife, Alex. The road to recovery is rocky, especially when Jess’s big sister, Kathryn, shows up, freshly divorced and looking to put her life back together. Kathryn’s initial discomfort around Claire’s friendly intimacy with Jess and Alex masks closeted curiosity, and the personality clashes between her and Claire, fueled by miscommunication and hasty conclusions, evolve into a passionate affair fraught by doubt and insecurity. Sadly, situations clearly meant to be comic, such as Kathryn discovering Claire and Jess in a compromising position that isn’t what it appears to be, come off as melodramatic and over-the-top, while Claire is a magnet for trouble. However, Grubb pulls it all together for a rough, though satisfying, journey toward a genuine happy ending. (Oct.)