One would think that the author of the international bestseller “Me and God” would have a better answer to a philosophical inquiry about the afterlife than “Hell is other people.” But reclusive author Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) is more misanthrope than spiritual guide, or so it seems.  While the plot of The Answer Man is a bit too predictable, the characters are quirky and likeable and the sparkling performances of leads Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham are hard to resist.

Faber rarely leaves his Philadelphia home, where he signs for his mail, but pretends to be someone else. Despite the pleas of his agent Terry (Nora Dunn) he refuses to help with the twentieth anniversary edition of his blockbuster spiritual guide. When back pain forces him to crawl to the nearest chiropractor, he is treated by single mother Elizabeth (Lauren Graham), and her offbeat assistant Anne (Olivia Thirlby). Faber is charmed by Elizabeth and her son Alex (adorable Max Antisell), but Faber’s awkward social skills make his courtship with Elizabeth difficult. Meanwhile, Book Trader owner Kris Lucas (Lou Taylor Pucci) has returned to his store after being released from a rehab center. When he meets Faber, they strike a deal that requires Faber to give Kris answers to questions about life. Of course, it is Faber’s relationship with Elizabeth, Alex and Kris that changes Faber, and drives the plot of The Answer Man.

Jeff Daniels is both hilarious and moving as the oddball Faber. The struggling to walk with back pain scene is nothing new, but Daniels’ labored crawl and bulging eyes made me rock with laughter. But when Faber sincerely struggles with his compulsive disorders and his desire to be with Elizabeth, I felt for him.  I have been entranced with Graham since her Gilmore Girls days, and she is nothing short of radiant in this film. When Faber first sees Elizabeth and is graced with Graham’s smile, we see why he is smitten. Graham is equally affecting in the scenes with son Alex and manages the trick of being both maternal and sexy. Daniels and Graham have great chemistry, and if the romance between the characters seems unlikely, the actors are a perfect fit.  This is also due to the charisma of both actors. Both Daniels and Graham were on Broadway at the same time, Graham in Guys and Dolls and Daniels in God of Carnage. I saw both shows, and I was struck by how funny and charming both actors are, both live and on film. 

Lou Taylor Pucci also helps give this comedy some depth. Kris is earnest about his recovery, and despite what he knows about Faber, believes that any man who could write “Me and God” must have the answers he needs. Kris thinks that his conversations with Faber on Faber’s stoop will solve the problems in his life, and Faber does have answers that sound right.  Pucci, who has grown up considerably since his excellent performance in Thumbsucker, is a good foil for the jaded Faber and Pucci’s scenes with Daniels on Faber’s stoop are effective.  Equally effective are Pucci’s scenes with his father (Thomas Roy).  Roy is dark and scary in the small part of the hopeless alcoholic who needs his son’s help, but will not go to AA meetings with him,  and the father and son scenes are heartbreaking and gritty. Fans of Arrested Development’s Tony Hale (Mailman) will also enjoy seeing him play a goofy character once again. Although unimportant to the plot, Hale’s scenes with Daniels are very funny.

Cinematographer Oliver Bokelberg does an excellent job of making Philadelphia look like a place I would like to visit, if I did not already live there. The scenes of Daniels and Antisell playing in the park and Graham and Daniels walking through Center City neighborhoods somehow enhance the chemistry between the characters. It is as if Philadelphia is a character that unites the other characters in the film. By the time Kris stands on the city street outside Faber’s home and asks about destiny and free will, I not only was rooting for the characters, I wanted the answer too. Faber replies, “Nothing happens to you; you choose what you want.

The Answer Man.  Directed by John Hindman.   Jeff Daniels (Arlen Faber), Lauren Graham (Elizabeth), Lou Taylor Pucci (Kris Lucas), Max Antisell (Alex), Nora Dunn (Terry Fraser), Tony Hale (Mailman) Thomas Roy (Riley Lucas) and Olivia Thirlby (Anne).  Magnolia Pictures, 2009.

 

 

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

 

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