Highball

Reportedly shot in only six days, this loose ensemble comedy of manners from "Kicking and Screaming" writer-director Noah Baumbach (here using the pseudonyms Jesse Carter and Ernie Fusco) uses the framework of three successive parties to capture the angst of a post-collegiate assortment of friends and enemies. Rapier-sharp dialogue and performances from familiar faces like Eric Stoltz, Chris Eigeman, Annabella Sciorra and Carlos Jacott highlight this droll, satiric portrait of a crowd of strivers, name-droppers and other hangers-on.