Noah Baumbach's outstanding, sadly overlooked debut Kicking and Screaming opens with a graduation party that allows the writer/director to introduce each cast member by dropping in and out of conversations, which serves as both an effective exposition device and an introduction to Baumbach's clever dialogue. Highball essentially tries to stretch that scene to feature length, with mixed but occasionally funny results. Set entirely in a single apartment and clearly filmed as something of an elaborate lark from a script by Baumbach and stars Chris Reed and Carlos Jacott, Highball doesn't benefit from attractive photography or coherent editing, but has quite a bit to recommend it in the way of acting, writing, and clever ideas. The always appealing Jacott plays a black-hearted guest who teases another about neglecting the Third World child he sponsored. Eric Stoltz's character has the puzzling habit of showing up with celebrities such as Ally Sheedy and Rae Dawn Chong, both of whom have great moments fending off empty-headed, star-struck questions. And so on. But even with such moments, Highball suffers from a lack of focus and consistency. Despite an excess of clever dialogue and ideas, it never really finds momentum and some of the acting falls well short of the high standard set by Baumbach's regulars and -- in a wonderfully deadpan performance -- Baumbach himself. Though ultimately unsatisfying, the film is worth a look for those who have admired Baumbach's work in the past. (And don't be fooled by video boxes crediting direction to "Ernie Fusco" and writing to "Jesse Carter"; the final credits tell another story.)