As silly as it sounds to be complaining about a movie for having too much character, that's the biggest problem with "Off the Map."

There are simply too many people populating this comedy-drama, which keeps introducing more and more story elements until there isn't enough time to sufficiently tie them all up.

This '70s period piece is told from the perspective of Bo (Valentina de Angelis), an 11-year-old who's living in near-poverty conditions with her parents on their farm in New Mexico, and things aren't going well.

Bo's father (Sam Elliott) is depressed to the point that he rarely speaks and often bursts into tears. And Bo's mother, Arlene (Joan Allen) and her dad's best friend (J.K. Simmons) don't seem to be able to help. Then along comes William Gibbs (Jim True-Frost), an IRS agent who is investigating the family's tax situation. Since they produce their own food and trade for goods, they don't really make any money and haven't filed a return in several years.

But before he looks into their case, Gibbs is overcome with a fever. Then, upon his recovery he becomes smitten with Arlene and decides to join this commune of sorts — and to indulge his artistic side.

Screenwriter Joan Ackermann, who adapted her own stageplay, has a good ear for dialogue, but her plotting is a little suspect. The character and story quirks here begin to feel manufactured after a while, as she and director Campbell Scott are trying too hard to give the movie a different feel and look.

There is also a clunky voice-over narration (by Amy Brenneman, who plays the grown-up Bo). it's completely unnecessary and only makes things seem even more artificial and contrived.

But this cast makes up for a lot. Newcomer de Angelis wisely defers to her more experienced co-stars, who at least make it watchable. And Simmons, an always dependable character actor ("The Ladykillers," the "Spider-Man" movies), and here he puts in yet another bid to steal the movie. (And almost succeeds.)

"Off the Map" is rated PG-13 for occasional use of strong profanity and some crude slang terms, drug content (use of prescription drugs), some female nudity (including glimpses of nude artwork), and some brief violence (wrestling and some target shooting). Running time: 111 minutes.

---

E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com