The wasted talent, however, is Cronyn, who has little to do but moan in bed. And Verdon goes way over the top when she dresses up for the TV wedding of her favorite soap opera characters (on a goofy fictional program called ``Sun Rise City'').

DiCaprio is so forceful in his scenes that the film occasionally looks as if it's really intended as his vehicle. And Scardino is nicely understated.

But it's Streep and Keaton who shine, both offering shaded, complex characterizations - although some of their histrionics are a bit much.

In fact, you can almost imagine the Academy Award voters scratching their heads about which of these former Oscar-winners to nominate this time around. (In the end, of course, the nomination went to the character with the fatal illness.)

Sadly, the flashes of wit and joy are not enough to overcome the fact that this film is just too familiar. Those who've seen ``Terms of Endearment'' or any of a dozen other films on this subject will feel as if they're watching a rerun.

``Marvin's Room'' is rated PG-13 for some profanity.