Big husky men dressing as women; bodies in cars disappearing into lakes; multiple personalities; dreams; people returning from the dead; the sudden shock at the end; yes, this is director Brian De Palma's idea of a black comedy.

And, as De Palma's films are always at a remove from reality, it proves quite successful.

John Lithgow plays a child psychologist sorely in need of psychiatric help, and seemingly collecting babies (after killing their mothers) to satisfy some whim of his dead father.

But the old guy may be alive, or just another of the several further personalities unleashed when Lithgow sees his wife (Lolita Davidovich) making love with an old flame just a few hours after the ex-lover has come back into her life.

All the De Palma trademarks are here: tracking camera, slow motion, over-prolonged suspense, set pieces. The over-the-top performances of the stars sit nicely within the film once you gauge the mood.

It's De Palma at his least visceral and most playful.