“In the Land of Women” is a melodramatic coming-of-age film that shies away from the chick flick genre as it examines relationships of all sorts.Though the previews may be misleading – it is not simply a love story between Adam Brody (“The O.C.”) and Kristen Stewart (“Fierce People”) – viewers may be pleasantly surprised at the level of depth reached in what may appear to be a shallow movie.

The film centers on Carter Webb (Brody), an aspiring writer whose life revolves around being in love. After another heartbreaking strike-out with Hollywood actress Sophia (Elena Anaya, “Van Helsing”), Webb decides to pack up and head to Michigan to stay with his ailing grandmother and work on the novel he has always wanted to write. Living in the suburbs, Webb befriends the neighbors across the street, getting to know each one of the women, and learning something about himself from each one.

Though Brody may play a character similar to his TV alias, Seth Cohen, he shines in a role that allows for quirky one-liners and the sarcastic humor that he has mastered. Meg Ryan (“Kate and Leopold”), playing the supporting role of the mother across the street, brilliantly portrays a struggling wife and mother who feels unfulfilled with her plight. Stewart climbs the ranks in this film playing a tragic teen who needs direction in her high school life and at home.

Overall, “In the Land of Women,” written and directed by John Kasdan, offers a bit of a dark twist to a traditional romantic comedy. The film is very character driven and each actor is able to break free of what may have been a stereotypical role (the troubled teen, the ailing grandmother, the heartbroken nerd) and make it his or her own. Though chick-flick excited fans should be warned that the film is not what it seems to be from previews, others may be surprised from its unpredictable yet insightful look on relationships.