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I was particularly impressed by the subtlety of the film tone. Actually the topic was tricky to deal with but the well-balanced characters of Jeff and his father made the whole film a real treat of tenderness.
Jeff is a strongly built plumber, he can be agressive (see the bathroom scene) but also a tender loving son. His behaviour versus Greg is impressively tender and moving.
Harry, while being a loving and exceptionally understanding father, is eager to find a new wife.
Each of them hides a dark side very cleverly displayed in black and white all along the film : Jeff regrets his tender childhood with his nice and lively Grandmother and he suffers from loneliness (see the train scene) ; as far as Harry is concerned he misses his dead love and his mother he didn't understand.
Humour and tenderness both pervade the whole film whereas we very often tend to be on the verge of deep sorrow and despair.
The exceptional complicity between father and son (and probably both actors) illuminates the film.
I can't but stress the way Russell exquisitely plays Jeff's character at the same time strong, fragile and candid. His eyes (already) mirror his character's feeling !