Margot has fears of gaps and missed connections, of the in-between, of fear itself. And she wonders whether inherent to simply being alive are moments of inconsolable sadness. And then she meets Daniel, with whom she feels a resonance she doesn’t quite feel with her husband.

That’s all there is to Take This Waltz, a film rooted in the tradition of French domestic drama, with ambiguity reigning in the places where Hollywood offers a clear message or resolution. And while you might leave the Art Theatre feeling Take This Waltz is a bit too slight or nebulous, don’t be surprised if you wake up the next day thinking otherwise.

That’s because writer/director Sarah Polley shows enough faith in the gives the audience the benefit of the doubt. She trusts that we don’t need clean, complete answers—or any answers at all, really—and so leaves us in the Margot’s limbo, unsure whether any of her ideas or decisions is correct.

Michelle Williams, is fantastic as Margot, fully bestowing upon the camera her gift for getting emotion to play across her face clearly enough to tweak your empathy dials on a dime. As Daniel, Luke Kirby is serviceably subtle, but Polley hasn’t given his character enough of an independent life to do anything more than play off of Williams. Meanwhile, Seth Rogen is believable as her kind and somewhat clueless husband, but you get the feeling we’re not going to see a wide variety of roles during his career.

On the other hand, wouldn’t it be fun to see Sarah Silverman (who plays Margot’s sister-in-law) get a chance to be not just funny or excoriating, but vulnerable and intense? We don’t get that here, but her presence makes you wonder whether one day she may do something truly great as an actor.

Directorially, Polley tries to keep things from being too static, but often the attempt falls short. Songs from the soundtrack are inserted into the action with a bit desperate to grab your emotions, while occasions of non-linear editing seem like a bit film-schoolish.

But one generally effective choice Polley makes is her willingness to stay with shots longer than necessary, thereby evoking the kind of quietly awkward tension that can come with tedium. She gets bonus points when consciously bringing sound into the mix, as during a long morning when Margot cannot get back to sleep, gentle, patterned hiccup of oscillating fan and creak of wooden bed frame effectively bring us into her experience.

Take This Waltz is not a perfect film, and there’s not much on the surface to make a strong impression. But give it half a chance, and it may penetrate more deeply than you first expect.

The Art Theatre of Long Beach is located at 2025 E. 4th Street, LB 90804. For more info call (562) 438-5435 or visit arttheatrelongbeach.com.