Far too many people shy away from foreign films, because they believe the films won't reflect good 'ol Yankee tastes.

Well, they probably won't. That refreshes me.

Antonia and Jane refreshes me, too. The British film from Beeban Kidron follows two women as they go through life's tribulations.

Polar opposites, Antonia and Jane reunite once a year for dinner. When the film opens, Jane visits her psychiatrist -- also Antonia's.

Through this doctor, the action unfolds. As it does, we discover each woman harbors resentment toward the other.

Antonia, a successful businesswoman, begins to doubt herself just as Jane, an unsuccessful fad follower, begins to gain confidence.

Jane admits her inability to complain, despite people treating her poorly. Just when she begins to assert herself, Antonia's life falls into discord.

These opposite actions complement one another and add humor. The addition of the doctor as a linchpin for each character also adds funny moments, as we see each character talk to the psychiatrist about the other woman.

But the film's real charm comes from the women and their interesting experiences, not to mention their imaginations.

Both women project their anxieties onto visual media -- resulting in short movies-within-a-movie about the women's concerns. Like when Antonia goes to the movies, only to see herself as a Nazi, killing screen revolutionary Jane.

These asides don't move the film forward in any way, they just vent some of the characters' frustration and provide moments of originality.

In fact, this film accomplishes little in the scheme of things. It does not strive to send a message, nor does it attempt to stun with visual bravado. It merely inspects a friendship from an outside perspective and tries to find humor in it.

And it does this well. The film keeps its audience's attention and entertains mostly with the help of Sasia Reeves and Imelda Staunton, Antonia and Jane.

Both actresses have a freedom of expression measurably more intriguing than the average film. Eventually, the film becomes a look at two lives, rather than watching characterizations.

It's a quaint little movie -- we Yankees would probably call it a feel-good movie. But who wants to be a Yankee?