Writer/director Todd Solondz has no patience for formulas or safe choices. Most filmmakers, after making a movie as commercially unsuccessful and critically slammed as the underrated "Storytelling", would strive to broaden their appeal. Solondz, instead, made "Palindromes", a movie about a troubled young girl named Aviva whose only goal in life is to have children--a goal that leads her through abortion, religious extremism, pedophilia, and more. But for many viewers, the plot isn't as off-putting as the casting: Over the course of the movie, Aviva is played by eight very different actresses (including Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Rush"). Like Solondz's other movies (including "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "Happiness"), "Palindromes" initially seems emotionally brutal and absurd, but gradually grows engaging and even moving, albeit in strange and unexpected ways. "Palindromes" is given an extra boost by a hypnotic, emotionally unleashed performance by Ellen Barkin ("The Big Easy", "Drop Dead Gorgeous") as Aviva's mother. "--Bret Fetzer"