Steve Zahn deserves to be a more celebrated actor. Reminiscent here of Michael J. Fox in his "Secret of My Success" period (though a much fuller presence and more comically dogged), Zahn takes a very thin script about a ne'er-do-well in love and actually makes something engaging out of it. Stuck working in his father's motel, Zahn has a fling with a fledgling art dealer (a nicely low-keyed Jennifer Aniston) and instantly feels this woman is his soul-mate. She has other plans, of course, but that doesn't stop our hero--he knows without a shadow of a doubt she could easily grow to love him, despite mounting obstacles. Advertised as a comedy with potentially edgy quirks, "Management" covers that territory and then commendably goes a different route. It isn't much more than a sketch in hindsight, though Zahn manages to infuse the picture with heart. He upstages a strong supporting cast with a three-dimensional performance which goes beyond the atypical puppy dog-looks and manic gestures. Writer-director Stephen Belber keeps Zahn reigned in and allows him to be human--and when the moment comes and the actor has to knock one outta the park, he does so without shrillness or strain. It's a star-making turn. **1/2 from ****