Somewhere in this overstuffed mix, there's probably a good movie about a woman's journey to self-discovery and self-acceptance. (Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig mined this territory earlier this year in the terrific "Frances Ha.") But "Girl," directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini("American Splendor," "The Nanny Diaries") from Michelle Morgan's screenplay, is a tonal jumble, veering between forced farce and tired, rom-com beats, with little feeling real or true. The moments that do work tend to be small, character-based pauses in the wackiness that allow a gifted performer like Wiig the chance to open the window a crack and let in a little fresh air.

Watching Imogene negotiate her first Long Island iced tea is a beautiful thing. Spending extended stretches of time with her emotionally stunted (but possessing the wisdom of the ages!)brother down at his boardwalk hermit crab kiosk? Not so much. Yes, he's part of Imogene's world, the life she tried to shun but must now learn to embrace. But he might as well be an actual hermit crab for all he actually adds to the movie.

Put it another way: Somehow "Girl" connects the dots between the mollusk-obsessed brother and the samurai/secret agent shtick of Dillon's goofy boyfriend character. Locating the beating heart and flickering potential of its title character, however, proves elusive.

glenn.whipp@latimes.com

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