EAT WITH ME (****1/2)

(2014) An indie film with heart that gave me the warm fuzzies, Eat with Me stars the wonderful Sharon Omi as Emma, a wife and mother whose marriage seems to be growing stale.  Tired of it all, she packs a few possessions one day and shows up at her deceased brother's Chinese restaurant, now owned by her estranged adult son Elliot (Teddy Chen Culver).  Though mother and son haven't been close since Elliot came out of the closet, Emma moves into his apartment while trying to figure out what she wants from life ... as, around the same time, Elliot meets and starts falling for a British drummer (Aidan Bristow) who just may be the answer to his commitment-phobic ways.  Eat with Me is a wonderful, funny, touching comedy drama about finding yourself and acceptance - as in acceptance of yourself, as well as others.  The cast is terrific (special note: Nicole Sullivan, of "MadTV" fame, plays Elliot's free-spirited neighbor, and her scenes with Sharon Omi are hilarious), the story very sweet and wholly believable, and the cherry on the sundae is the wonderful George Takei, in a small but pivotal role.  I loved it; so much so, it's one of those films I wish everyone who reads this would take the time to see.  (not rated)

EAT WITH ME trailer