While most movie fans think living the movie star life must be the best thing on earth, writer/director Nicole Holofcener casts a shadow on that lifestyle in Friends with Money. The ensemble film offers viewers Holofcener’s peek into what it might really be like to have money -- for some, less than your friends, and for others, more.

Frannie (Joan Cusack), Jane (Frances McDormand), and Christine (Catherine Keener) are the three friends with money who are worried about their friend, Olivia (Jennifer Aniston). Once a productive, but apparently unhappy teacher, Olivia now works as a maid to survive. But that’s not their only concern. While the other three women are in (they think) successful marriages, Olivia can’t find a meaningful relationship with a man.

Frannie and Matt (Greg Germann) seem to be the couple with the least problems -- lots of money, open communication, great sex and happy kids. Frannie spends her time child-raising and pursuing many of her interests -- working out, philanthropic endeavors and trying to mirco-manage Olivia’s life. “Shall we just give her some money?” she asks Matt at one point. Cusack, a great comedian as shown in films like School of Rock and High Fidelity and Germann, well-known for his role as Richard on Ally McBeal, flush out these characters perfectly.

“She’s rich, but she always has a great peace in her life,” Cusack explained while discussing the character she plays. 

Olivia’s (Aniston) life is a mess. She gave up teaching due to a lack of passion for the job. She’s working as a maid, snooping through client’s drawers, and isn’t doing any better in the dating department. She gets hooked up with one loser after another, and realizes she really doesn’t fit in with her rich friends anymore. The character is ho-hum boring with no redeeming values -- and played with even less enthusiasm by Aniston.

“I truly loved this script and this character,” said Aniston. But while Jane wants to give two million dollars to her kids’ school, Olivia is denied a loan from her. “But she’s sort of okay with it, she’s kind of blissfully oblivious,” declared Aniston, who indicated she had plenty of experience as a maid as a young girl living at home when she had to clean her parents’ house twice a week.

Jane (McDormand) and Aaron (Simon McBurney) each think their marriage is perfect. But is it? Jane is a successful fashion designer who earns a good living. But something is wrong in her life that neither she nor Aaron can put their finger on. Suddenly she’s angry with everyone, lashing out at people on the street, drivers and store clerks. She’s even refused to wash her hair; it’s some type of internal control mechanism that has her friends not only worried but also put off. McDormand (North Country) can play any role and make it her own. She’s a joy to watch and slides you into a story like a hand into a smooth-fitting glove.

Aaron is an adorable, perky and successful sock designer who’s practically Mr. Mom. He cooks, he entertains, he’s on top of the kids’ needs and he’s always happy. Behind his back his friends all swear he’s gay. That option is explored (but never answered) when he meets another married man in a coffee shop and the two strike up a friendship. Simon McBurney (The Manchurian Candidate) is an English star who plays funny, sincere and mean characters. He’s delightful in Friends with Money, and gives, I believe, the standout performance.

Christine (Keener) and David (Jason Isaacs) think remodeling their house will solve their marital indifferences. A screenwriting duo working from home, they’re really on different planets. Christine is upset because she never gets any emotional responses or reactions from David. When she complains, he lets her know it took weeks before she noticed he shaved off his beard. Keener, recently noted for her performance in Capote, and Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies) are both constant in playing out the couple’s perplexed relationships.

“Christine seemingly has everything in place but really has problems,” said Keener.

Cast members agreed to do this film because of their admiration for writer and director Nicole Holofcener (Lovely & Amazing, Walking and Talking). Keener has appeared in all three of Holofcener’s films.

“Nicole just writes such great characters that are fun to play,” said Aniston.

“Nicole has written a role that is probably one of the richest, most fully recognizable characters I’ve ever played,” added McDormand who describes her character as a woman in menopause mode.

While the story seems lacking in insightful problem/conclusion elements, the strong female cast will probably appeal to moviegoers -- although mostly to women. Still, Jason Isaacs, who turns on an excellent American accent for his role, disagrees. “I think in the end you sympathize or engage more with the women, but I think all the characters are three dimensional,” he said. “I basically came on board because I love this screenplay and said I would play anyone in it.”

Friends with Money endeavors to explore the problems involved with having lots of money, and for many moviegoers -- who are mostly middle-income patrons -- that’s a problem hard to relate to. Basically, I think this film will hold the greatest appeal for fans of its fine ensemble cast members.

(Released by Sony Pictures Classics and rated “R” for some sexual content and brief drug use.)

Read Diana Saenger’s reviews of classic films at http://classicfilm.about.com.