Can a cynical lesbian from the Big Apple find happiness with an upbeat blonde from the West Coast? That's the question in this independent bicoastal comedy. Rachel (Helen Lesnick, who also wrote and directed the film) is a native New Yorker who, after an unpleasant breakup with her girlfriend (Michele Greene), decides she needs a change of scenery. Rachel packs her bags and moves to San Diego, where she has a bit of trouble adapting to the laid-back rhythms of the California lifestyle; she also discovers that getting her career as a freelance writer going again is harder than she expected. After several bad dates, Rachel meets Christine (Erica Shaffer), and Rachel thinks she may have finally found love at last. But after her last relationship, Rachel finds that trusting anyone unconditionally no longer comes naturally. A Family Affair was screened at the 2001 L.A. Outfest, a festival devoted to gay and lesbian-themed films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi