Rating:Three star

THIS is a feel-good film, despite some depressing scenes en route.

If the main character, Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) were the captain of a ship, it would be the Titanic.

He isn't listening to the person screaming 'iceberg' as he steams ahead on his path of destruction.

But unlike the Titanic, Tripp steers his life away from disaster just in time.

The story revolves around the professor, unstable, talented student James (Tobey Maguire), a troubled affair, a wannabe gay literary agent (Robert Downey Jr) and a murdered blind dog.

Seven years on from writing his first novel, Tripp is having difficulty producing one of equal quality.

When eventually completed, events take a turn for the worse, but like many great movies, Tripp realises what would truly make his life content.

The film features great acting, Douglas is superb and Maguire and Downey Jr play excellent supporting roles.

DVD extras include various interviews and an interactive location map.

HC