I went on a long quest through all the used bookstores in Portland (which is certainly the used book capital of USA if not the world) and found the original book this was based on, because the author also wrote the screenplay and liked it. SPOILER: The movie is actually considerably better.
Alice DrydenA new one for me and not at all what I was expecting. Also how was I not aware of the Garden Cinema in all its plush art deco loveliness?