The film opens on a family in a quiet, picture-postcard-perfect village in Maine, New England. The scene is remarkable for its ordinariness, however, you know something is going to happen. The ominous chords in the soundtrack, set the tone of this contemporary tragedy, which hooks you from the start and never lets go.

Sure enough, half-an-hour into the film, a crime occurs which is devastating for all those concerned.

With some films the less you know, the greater your appreciation. This is one of those films.

Suffice it to say that director Todd Field taps the grief, anger, melancholy and confusion of people who have had a bomb metaphorically exploded in their lives.

Part weepy, part thriller, the deliberately paced action is infused with unpredictable psychological insights and spiky dialogue. Field also reveals an eye for disconcertingly odd imagery from everyday situations - a mother struggling with her baby at school sports day, stunned mannequins in a shop window, a niggling cut finger - which add to the overriding taughtness of tone.

Much of the power of this character-based story comes from the outstanding performances, particularly from Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek as the WASPish husband and wife.

A film of deep silences and resonating questions.