Will anyone pay attention to a quiet, understated play about two middle-aged brothers living on a farm — in Canada? Oh, let's give it a try. Michael Healey's comedy-drama is beautifully paced and written, and the sentiment has some sly and unexpected edges. A popular success in Canada, the play had its U.S. premiere at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater in a little-noticed production that featured two of the year's best performances, by Frank Galati (director of Ragtime) and Frasier's John Mahoney.
Animated actors dominated the box office, Barry Bonds hit 73 and 'It' turned out to be a scooter. TIME picks the bests and the worsts of this year...