Signs in the first 40 minutes that this is a dubious romance

- There's zero build-up to consummation. The two are literally in bed together at the 26-minute mark.

- Shortly after that and now aware that Charlotte only has a short time to live, Will takes her to a Halloween party where he meets an ex-girlfriend and he has no qualms about secretly having sex with her on the roof while Charlotte's below. He then lies to Charlotte about it with a straight face when she suspects.

I thought this was a romance about a handsome womanizer who finally meets the first woman to compel him to true love and commitment? And, yet, the first chance he gets he runs off with an ex to have sex at a party while the (supposed) woman-of-his-dreams is like 35 feet away (rolling my eyes).

Why would anyone with a brain want to waste their precious time on such a person?

I suppose the movie could be viewed as a character study with the theme of the power of love changing an attractive-but-loathsome person but, if that's the case, explain what contemptibly happens at the Halloween party. Still, it's a bold scene that captures the viewer unaware and should be respected for that. No one can say it's an imitation of "Love Story" from 30 years earlier. Also, the close with Vera's character is notable in a heartwarming way -- there's hope for ANYONE, if they're humble and penitent.

Other positives include the Fall cinematography of the better parts of the Big Apple, as well as the characters played by Elaine Stritch and JK Simmons, not to mention Vera Farmiga. The "human lie detector" scene is great too.