Matthew Broderick and Virginia Madsen are extremely likeable as actors, and the plot of Diminished Capacity is endearing in concept. A successful Chicago newspaper editor, Cooper (Broderick), suffers a concussion, while at the same time his uncle (Alan Alda) has been diagnosed with “diminished capacity.”

Cooper heads home to rural Missouri to help out, yet when he gets there, he’s talked into taking a road trip to sell a valuable baseball card that might solve the uncle’s financial woes. The entire trip serves as a wake-up call for Cooper.

Everyone can relate to needing a change in life. Diminished Capacity, however, is a bit sloppy and slapstick where it could’ve been deep with discovery.

Grade: C

Diminished Capacity releases in select theaters July 4.