The Answer Man (2009)

In 1988, Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) wrote the spirituality book "Me and God" which became a best seller and a worldwide success. It's 20 years later and his identity is still a secret. His agent Terry Fraser (Nora Dunn) says he is beyond the world or possessions but in reality, he's more of a misanthrope. His mailman (Tony Hale) is a fan but thinks he's Arlen's assistant. Kris Lucas (Lou Taylor Pucci) returns from rehab to find his bookstore closed for 27 days after his assistant Dahlia (Kat Dennings) lost the keys. He is struggling with sobriety while living with his drunken father. Arlen is so frustrated that he tries to give away a stack of his books to Kris but Kris refuses. Arlen throws out his back and gets single-mom chiropractor Elizabeth (Lauren Graham). Anne (Olivia Thirlby) is her receptionist.The good aspect is the abundance of good actors in the cast. I love many of these actors. The pairing of Daniels and Graham is a great start. There are probably one or two too many characters. This could have been a nice rom-com. However, it tries to do so many things with these many characters. The theological stuff doesn't really work. It's too disruptive and Kris' struggle is distracting. In the end, this doesn't work quite enough.

Jeff Daniels is a legendary actor, at least in my opinion. Take a look at his body of work & you'll understand what I'm saying. Daniels is a versatile actor, who very surprisingly has never been Nominated for an Academy-Award. In 'The Answer Man', Daniels delivers A Fantastic Performance, proving once again how good he is! 'The Answer Man' Synopsis: A reclusive author of spiritual books, is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab.'The Answer Man' is an ordinary fare, that has some moments. The Screenplay does deliver some great moments, but, at times, it loses pace & drags itself. John Hindman's Direction is definitely well-done.Apart from Daniels's Fantastic, Impeccable Performance, 'The Answer Man' turns out to be a one-time watch.

I usually don't write reviews but rather I usually read them to see if the film is something I truly want to watch or not. But given the one, and only, poor review on here so far I thought I'd add some perspective. This film centers around Arlen, who is a irritable man who once authored an existential book but now lives in recluse and away from prying eyes. His character I find fully believable because there are many people who write a book or several books but don't want the fame handed them, they just simply wanted to write a good story or get their thoughts out, the fame was mere collateral damage. This is how Jeff Daniel's character feels. He dislikes people and attention in general. Partially due to not wanting the fame but partially due to having his own personal demons and issues. Along comes a struggling chiropractor who is trying to get her own business going and also a struggling recovering alcoholic who is trying to keep his small bookstore open. Their paths converge in various ways, of which I won't tell to leave some mystery to the reader. The chiropractor (Lauren Graham) eventually becomes Arlen's romantic interest. But it is not a simple or easy relationship and I don't feel that Arlen makes a magical unbelievable change as the prior review states. He is at first softened by her professional expertise and out of appreciation seems to let a door open and try to get to know her. I'd say him liking her son, and kids in general it seems, is part of his character. I would also say his character opens up to the bookstore owner (Pucci) because he is honest and persistent, things Arlen admires. Everyone has their demons and flaws in this movie which I feel add a certain honesty to the film. It didn't feel particularly flawed or predictable. Although there are a couple turn points and their consequences that felt predictable but in all I'd say it wasn't that predictable because of the characters not being formulaic. I thought the pacing was in general nice and enjoyable. If you want a dark comedy that becomes a bit lighter and romantic then this is for you. I'd say its a bit smarter and more enjoyable then most of the made for rudimentary teens romantic teens out there. Take this review at what you will but please read this and the prior for a more balanced view point of the film.

THE ANSWER MAN (2009) *** ½ Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Kat Dennings, Nora Dunn, Olivia Thirlby, Max Antisell, Tony Hale, Thomas Roy. Daniels gives another remarkable performance this time as a grumpy best-selling spiritual author whose reclusiveness (think JD Salinger/Thomas Pynchon) has superseded his fame (and vice versea) that his adverse contact with humanity becomes a life lesson when he winds up falling in love with single-mother, chiropractor Graham (ditzily sunny) and a new release in life. Written & directed by John Hindman –in a sparkling debut - with just the right amount of misanthropy and mirth, the film works on many levels of questioning one's faith/beliefs/values and the pangs of falling in love. Pucci excels as a recently re-habbed bookstore owner who becomes an unlikely aide and seeker of advice while the delish Dennings & Thirlby are wonderfully baroque as his co-worker and Graham's receptionist, respectfully. "Hell is other people" .. indeed!