The Answer Man (2009) User Reviews

If you saw William Shatner on SNL, you will know what happens

[bobbobwhite · 7/10 · 19 August 2009]

When Shatner told Trekkies in an SNL skit to "get a life" he really meant it, and writer Arlen Faber(Jeff Daniels) really meant it in this film too when he said something similar to all the bookstore-signing attendees who were as fervent as any Trekkie, and all waiting excitedly for a signed copy of his blockbuster God's Answers book they could then drool over forever as they savored God's cosmic answers to every little thing in life, as told by God to Arlen Faber, who "actually spoke with God"(not!). You will have to see it to fully understand this part.

I totally liked this film for about 5/6th of it, as it's story's cleverness reminded me of the unique and quirky magic of Waitress or Big Fish, or even one of the best Woody Allan tales. But, I thought the ending was flatter and more forced compared to the rest of it, and needed a more inspired and extended premise and execution for fullest success. It seemed rushed and inconsistent with the great buildup to it.

Good magic overall but should have had a more fulfilling ending. It deserved better.

love the Daniels Graham pairing

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 26 April 2016]

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.

A welcome relief from the mainstream Hollywood movies

[SauliusZ · 7/10 · 31 October 2009]

A little bit of comedy, a little bit of romance, some soul searching, but not a romantic comedy or "romcom" by any means. Enjoyable to watch for over 25's, I guess.

Would be a great movie, but the story needed a lot of developing. Director and screenplay author John Hindman takes a love story and tries to include some points on "meaning of life" and "how to live your live", and a few laughs, too, just a right amount for general public. Could be a great movie, but whoever cut it, made it "too accessible" for everybody, if you know what I mean. 'Artsy-fartsy' types would tear this movie to pieces, that's for sure.

Actors did a good job, Jeff Daniels in particular. So go and watch the movie, especially if you are on a date. No uncomfortable moments, and a bit of a laugh for both sexes. Love story helps, too.

A rather small, charming movie about an author who knows he doesn't have all the answers.

[TxMike · 8 May 2010]

Jeff Daniels is Arlen Faber, Philadelphia author, and 20 years earlier wrote a run-away best seller, "Me and God." In it he presents a whole series of questions and, he says, God spoke to him with the answers.

But when we first see Arlen, and the door bell rings, he utters a series of blue language expletives and we immediately wonder "Who is this guy who talks to God?" He is intolerant of most people and most situations, and is a recluse who doesn't want anyone to know who he is or where Arlen Faber lives.

One day, bending over awkwardly, his back catches and all he can do is lay on the floor, in pain. He calls his agent, but she is fed up with Arlen's refusal to surface for his 20th anniversary, so she hangs up on him. Desperate, he crawls down the street and to the nearest chiropractor who happens to be lovely Lauren Graham as Elizabeth. (I have been a fan of hers ever since I first saw her on 'Gilmore Girls' and a weekend with her on a small tropical island would be nice.) As soon as Arlen sets eyes on her, he is smitten. But he has so much baggage that he is a difficult person to form a relationship with.

The other key person is Lou Taylor Pucci as Kris Lucas, almost broke proprietor of the local book store. He and Arlen eventually form an unlikely friendship that helps both of them find new directions in life.

I really enjoyed seeing this movie. The acting and dialog are interesting and, while not all is resolved by the end of the movie, everyone seems to be on a better path. I want to see it again, and that is always a good sign.

The script defeats a game cast-but allows for several great little moments

[dbborroughs · 6/10 · 15 August 2009]

Jeff Daniels is the author of God and Me a self help book supposedly filled with all of the insights that God wants us to have. In the 20 years since its publication its become a cult industry with Daniel's character being a reclusive loner trying to work out the meaning of life. Into his life comes the mother of a young boy whom he meets when his back goes out, and the owner of a local bookstore he frequents. Wildly uneven, ultimately not really good, romantic comedy of sorts about a bunch of lost souls trying to find meaning and themselves. The problem here is purely the script which seems to go off in every which direction, as best explained by the opening scene where we meet the profanity spewing Daniels which then runs up against some of the scenes with Daniels and the son of the woman he's romancing. The later scenes are utterly charming and their tone seems at odds with the early stuff. yes I know there is arc to the characters but the shifts of tome happen all over the place often between scenes in sequence. It drove me mad because at its heart this is a really good story thats been put on to the screen not very well. In all honesty the film is worth seeing at some point (whats good is really choice) I just wouldn't pay money to do so. Wait for cable,

Enjoyable and thoughtful

[copperncherrio · 7/10 · 13 March 2011]

This film follows the mystery man who wrote the most popular book of all time, answers that he has for God and the answer to them. He stays in recluse and is infuriated by his search for true spirituality, and in lieu of searching for the solution for his back issues he is entranced by a woman who hasn't heard of him.

The follows three people in their life and how they come to effect one another and while romance.

Movie with some very thoughtful, quirky quotes ever.

Enjoyable and thoughtful this is one of my favorite movies with Jeff Daniels, or at least my introduction to the brilliance of Jeff Daniels.

Author, author!

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 3 March 2010]

Arlen Faber is a celebrity. He has cornered the "God market" according to his agent. Like many writers of self help books, he is a guy in dire need of some guidance himself. In a way, he is a fraud, in that he just happened to write a book that went through the stratosphere as people that relate to the subject matter made it a hit. Unfortunately, Faber, in real life is a mess. He is pompous, inconsiderate, or just plain obnoxious, for starters.

What makes Arlen change? He happens to meet Elizabeth, a chiropractor, that has a life and is exactly what he is not. Arlen, who hurts his back badly, can't even count on his agent to come to help him. What's more, the record he just put on the turntable happens to be "Isn't it Romantic" that gets scratched and Arlen has to listen to it all night long. When Arlen crawls over to Elizabeth's office, he is in for a rude awakening because his life is about to change. Elizabeth, a single mother, is a a grounded woman, so different from Arlen that one knows they will come together in the end.

Meanwhile, Kris Lucas, the owner of a small store that buys and sells books, gets an unexpected visit by Arlen. He is trying to dump on the poor fellow a bunch of books that Kris can't afford to buy. Kris has just come out of a rehab center for alcoholics. Because of his situation, he has to live with his father, an arrangement he doesn't care for. When Kris discovers Arlen's true identity, he makes a deal; he will accept the books the celebrity author gives him in exchange for answers to questions that bother him. This exchange, while not helping Kris, brings the two so different men closer together.

"The Answer Man" is a sort of romantic comedy written and directed by John Hindeman, who makes his debut, although it appears he has been involved in television. The allure of watching the film was the fine cast that was put together. The film, while enjoyable, could have been much better if we really cared more about the main character. As written, the man is an enigma, up to the end, when he appears to have come to terms with reality.

Jeff Daniels does what he can with Arlen. Mr. Daniels, a veteran of stage and screen, is a great and personable actor. Either the script, or the direction doesn't quite make us respond to him the way, we are sure, the creator wanted us to feel. Lauren Graham who plays Elizabeth has worked extensively on television and is finally getting the parts she deserves in films. Lou Taylor Pucci's Kris is not totally believable. Olivia Thirlby, Kat Dennings and Nora Dunn don't have much to do.

The film, while not a complete failure, introduces a new talent to films, John Hindman, to whom we wish the best in his future projects.

Jeff Daniels - The Guy with all the Answers

[shashank_1501 · 7/10 · 14 September 2023]

Arlen Faber, quite a unique name in quite a unique movie. The Answer Man revolves around the life of the writer of a famous book "Me and God" (released in 1988) whose identity just like in any superhero movie is a mystery to his fans , a single mother cum chiropractor Elizabeth and a troubled bookstore owner who's recovering from alcohol addiction. So during the 90 mins of this drama you'll witness how the life of it's three main characters are interlinked with each other and the book at the time of 20th Anniversary of it's release. Quite an interesting joyride I would say.

Jeff Daniels portraying Arlen as always is fun to watch having a nice chemistry with Lauren Graham playing Elizabeth. Olivia Thirlby looks cute and Lou Taylor parts in the movie are quite boring.

As a whole a nice feel good drama.

Enjoyable and different

[politically_incorrect204 · 8/10 · 25 July 2009]

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.

Not "As Good as it Gets"

[TamPalm · 6/10 · 27 July 2010]

This movie tries really hard to be a repeat of "As Good as it Gets," but it comes up short. In fact, this movie is not as good as it gets and could have been a lot better. All of the pieces are there: sound cast, clever story line, good pacing. But the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

I always enjoy watching Daniels and even though this movie is way out of his norm to the point that it takes a minute to get used to seeing him in this character, he pretty much pulls it off. His romantic lead is also a good fit and their chemistry is pleasant. I appreciated the realistic nature of the courtship too ie they didn't jump in the sack at first glance which seems to be norm in most movies. Their courtship is cute, predictable at times, but not at others (like when she's shown to have taken his advice with his son and he's shown to have taken her advice with his hobby, although neither verbally address this.) In fact, I found each character in this movie rather appealing.

That said, there could have been more. Maybe the movie could have been longer or something, not sure, but something could have and should have been done to flesh out the characters more. We're only shown very surface level stuff even of the main character and that inhibits you from fully caring about the characters and fully buying into their individual stories.

I also found the ending somewhat unnerving. If the ultimate lesson is not supposed to be "God is not real," the filmmakers failed. If that is the lesson they tried to teach, the movie fails because the whole crux of the movie until the end is basically "lessons from God." Basically, the movie could have been more than just another Hollywood swipe at religion, but the ending makes it feel like that's what it was ultimately meant to be in which case you feel cheated for having watched the movie and invested in the story to whatever extent that was possible.

Verdict: Good movie to watch on TV like I did, but keep your expectations low or nonexistent.

6/10

It's Really a Terrible Film

[scott s-2 · 2/10 · 11 April 2023]

Why was this film made? The protagonist Arlen is a fraud who wrote a book full of lies claiming to be able to talk to God (which everyone does, I suppose, we just don't get direct answers). Arlen throws his back out and meets a local chiropractor,and for some reason she hangs around for the rest of the film, I suppose because she had to to get her paycheck.

The only reason I gave it even two stars is the cute kid in the film, and the one beautiful quote about halfway through the film, about how God sees the world through our eyes. That quote is probably written by someone other than the screenwriter, because it's moving and sweet. Something the rest of the film definitely is not. Steer clear.

Well done but yet medium rare

[sarahrck · 8/10 · 24 January 2009]

This film is a good all around romantic dramedy. All the characters in the story become interconnected and realize that as much as their problems are personal they need the company of others to help them through life. The idea that "you are your own worst enemy" is thematic here and the quirky lifestyles of these Philly dwellers help ease the tension in what could be very uncomfortable dramatic scenes. Its been hard to find a romantic comedy that stays away from sex and the city like characters or tween indie pastel colored cult movies. Arlen Faber offers us a tasteful unpretentious refreshing and funny kick back film. And for the record this movie wasn't overly godly, something that I was afraid of when choosing what to see at Sundance. The religious themes are pretty minimal and I don't leave the theater thinking that I need to rethink my relationship with God or religion.

A Fantastic Performance by Jeff Daniels!

[namashi_1 · 6/10 · 5 May 2012]

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.

Eliminate one character and this would have been a good film

[MBunge · 5/10 · 26 August 2011]

I wanted so much to like this movie but it wastes too much time on a disconnected and unnecessary plot tangent. The Answer Man is supposed to be the story of three people's lives coming together. Only two of the people in this story really belong there, though, with the third one needlessly crammed in. The result is a tantalizing but ultimately disappointing imbalance that fizzles out at the end.

Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) is an author who wrote a book 20 years ago called "Me and God" that sought to answer life's questions. It became a global sensation that's still a major cultural force after two decades. Since writing "Me and God", Arlen has apparently done nothing but wallow in his own misanthropy. He's never written another book or made a single public appearance or comment. He's just sat in his Philadelphia brownstone reading self-help books he finds extremely unhelpful because while Arlen has answered so many questions for others, he can't find any answers for his own frustrating unhappiness.

Then two people enter Arlen's closed off life.

Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) is a chiropractor who becomes the first person to bring any relief to Arlen in who knows how many years when he crawls into her office with near crippling back pain. The awkward and lonely-for-too-long writer and the frantic and super-protective single mother strike up a relationship, with Elizabeth even introducing Arlen to her son Alex (Max Antisell). She's the first person Arlen has felt something more than contempt for in a long time and he's someone Elizabeth finds fascinating, if a little too sharp edged for complete comfort.

Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci) is a bookstore owner in Arlen's neighborhood who just got out of rehab. His store is failing because his gigantic idiot of an assistant left it closed for the 28 days Kris was in rehab. He hates going to AA meetings and refused to let them be any help. He's also struggling with trying to live a sober life in the same crappy apartment with his still boozing dad (Thomas Ray). One day, Arlen tries to sell some of his unsatisfying self-help books and Kris categorically refuses, for reasons that only someone from AA or Al-Anon would really understand. Kris and Arlen eventually strike a deal where books will be exchanged for answers to life's questions.

You may already have noticed from my description what the trouble is with The Answer Man. While Arlen and Elizabeth have a real story between them, bitter man and anxious woman struggle to overcome themselves and be together, Kris is this tangential character thrust into the mix without adding anything to it. Kris and Arlen literally do not have a meaningful interaction until the movie is half over. Kris and Elizabeth don't interact substantively until the film is two-thirds over. Kris isn't interesting. His life isn't interesting. He doesn't contribute anything to the story that couldn't have been done by a less intrusive plot device. Yet every time the movie starts to give the audience a closer look at Arlen and Elizabeth and their relationship, it pulls away to spend time with Kris.

That gets pretty frustrating after a while, because Jeff Daniels and the delightful Lauren Graham have got something good going on in The Answer Man. Yeah, they're not doing anything you haven't seen before in a romantic comedy, but they're doing it quite well. However, the audience can never get more than a millimeter beneath the surface of these characters, their history and their courtship because the film is always cutting away to the useless third wheel that is Kris.

For example, Arlen's father died 5 years ago from Alzheimer's and Elizabeth's husband ran out on her and Alex 3 years ago. The Answer Man spends less than a minute on each of those things, even though both should be essential to understanding Arlen and Elizabeth, solely to give Lou Taylor Pucci more screen time.

There are a couple of glimmers in the film of what writer/director John Hindman intended to do with Kris, but he never actually does any of it. The end result is that when the movie gets to its big ending where Arlen and Elizabeth are supposed to break up and then get back together, it all feels forced and contrived because the two of them haven't had enough time on screen together and separately to give that predictable conclusion any emotional support.

The Answer Man isn't bad. It's like getting into a nice looking car, starting it up and then idling in park without going anywhere.

Wonderful Performances Muted By A Poor Script... Disappointing

[John_T_Chance · 22 July 2009]

If the purpose of the film was to make the viewer relate to the film exactly the way a reader would react to meeting fictional writer Arlen Faber then mission accomplished. I was deeply disappointed in this movie. As it unfolds, you expect the film to deliver something profound and moving. It never does nor even comes close. It's clichéd filled and aimless. It makes no real statement about faith and offers nothing of substance. The movie revolves are three characters and you never really emotionally connect with two of the three. The exception being the alcoholic bookstore owner, that character was well written. Unfortunately, the main leads are disappointingly weak. Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham deliver wonderful performances as expected but there really wasn't anything extraordinary for them to work with in terms of the script.

A big disappointment.

An earnest effort that just misses the mark.

[jaybob · 6/10 · 9 November 2009]

This was released on 6 screens in late July 2009, after being in various film festivals,It left the theatres 3 weeks later having a poor box office. Title changed to THE ANSWER MAN

Simple reason why,there are no major actors in any role. Jeff Daniels is the lead. He is OK BUT he really is not a leading man.The female roles are done by actresses little known to me, except for Nora Dunn. The writer/director in his maiden effort is John Hindman.I give him an E for effort.

Newcomer --- Lou Taylor Pucci is quite good as the alcoholic book store owner & very young Max Autisell as young Alex is adorable.

The film had possibilities but has too many F words to really be likable. Filmed in Philadelphia,Nice cinematography.

Ratings: **1/2 (out of 10) 73 points (out of 100) IMDb 6 (out of 10)

Interesting. Proving that no matter how much you think you don't have all the answers be yourself and learn life as you go.

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 2 December 2009]

Call it what you want "The Answer Man" or "Arlen Faber" this is an interesting drama that's blended with fun and drama that teaches us a little about life proving that everyone should grow. Jeff Daniels is Arlen Faber an author who had a highly successful book series that branched off from his best seller "Me and God" an inspirational book that influenced many. And now on the 20th anniversary many feel Arlen is the man with the answers. Only as fate would have it his back goes out, leading him to a visit to chiropractic care. Upon the visit his care taker is Elizabeth(the beautiful and attractive Lauren Graham)who's a single mom from San Francisco just moved to Philadelphia and she's also raising her seven year old son and this little boy is searching for meaning.

Along the way an interesting subplot occurs as Arlen's life also intersects with Kris(Lou Taylor)a young man out of alcohol rehab searching for meaning when he goes back to his book store as Arlen often supplies him books for Kris's questions! You see that too Arlen is full of himself and lonely as this grown man even collects monster movie action figures! Only little by little he discovers some attraction to Elizabeth as the two date even though it seems awkward. As Both Elizabeth and Kris hope Arlen has answers and it's clear he doesn't.

It shows that no matter how knowledgeable that one appears they don't know it all and no one has all the answers. It does one good to be normal and get out of their shell just as Arlen sees in the end it's clear you learn life as you go and everyone is different. Overall good film that touches and it proves good lesson points of life. And it's good to see Lauren Graham at work again.

Doesn't have the answer

[C-Younkin · 4/10 · 21 July 2009]

When drama is rushed it can feel like the slowest thing in the world. The characters never get any time to breathe. The turmoil that they go through feels so compact, tidy, and meager that it's like your watching nothing at all. That's what it's like watching "The Answer Man", writer/director John Hindman's dramedy-romance about trying to find God and the answers to life's problems. The quest for life's answers seems like a subject done before and this movie is way too bland, stale, and unbelievable to really find the heart.

Jeff Daniels plays Arlen Faber, who 20 years ago wrote a book called "Me and God", centering around a conversation he had with the big man himself. The book was a mega-hit but nobody has ever really seen Faber in person. Perhaps because he's a reclusive, angry, stressed out asshole that hates people. He spends his days reading other self-help books and meditating; neither seems to lighten his miserable mood though. When he throws his back out one day, he meets a chiropractor named Elizabeth (Lauren Graham), an obsessive single mother trying to raise a young son. She has no idea who Arlen is at first but after reading the book, she seems to think that he is the one for her. Luckily he likes her too. Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci) completes this tripod of people. He's a recovering alcoholic, just out of rehab, managing a failing bookstore.

The whole thing follows James L. Brooks' "As Good as it Gets", without ever reaching a great movie, or even a good one. These people will come together and help each other but it's all done in such a weak and contrived way that none of it is effective. Arlen wants to get rid of some books so he makes a deal with Kris in exchange for some life answers. But can't Arlen just throw them away and not be bothered with Kris at all? And who is Arlen exactly? He changes from miserable crank to charming romantic lead with the snap of a finger. Saying he hates people in one scene and then taking on this silly relationship with Elizabeth where he shows her his monster action figure collection and befriends and acts as father to her young son are very schizophrenic and unbelievable. And Kris' failing business, his alcohol problem, Elizabeth's struggles raising a young son, and the daddy issues that Arlen, Kris and the son have are all given short shrift so that we can see a too-cute romance that never gets off the ground.

If Hindman had taken more risks and allowed us to empathize with the characters a little more, this movie would have been much better but it just feels like everyone is trying to shoot it and then move on. No care is given. Daniels tries. He's a good physical comedian and some of the movies best lines come at his most cranky. "I hope to find a cure for people who listen to techno" Arlen mumbles at one point. Graham has a nice smile but she's not called upon to do much. And Pucci tries to grapple with the weight of addiction but he seems more like a fifth wheel than a character and his plot line is just distracting.

"The Answer Man" looked like a mature, adult answer to some of the crappier romantic comedies coming out this year but it winds up getting it mostly wrong.

What do Lauren Graham and Tea Leoni have in common?

[A_Different_Drummer · 8/10 · 30 July 2013]

What do Lauren Graham and Tea Leoni have in common? The answer is simply that these are two actresses who were generally under-used in movies but could have done OH SO MUCH MORE. Some films work because of the script. Some work because of the director. And some work because of the chemistry. The day will come when film students of the future will look back at this era and have to content themselves with the slim body of work left behind by both these actresses. Arguably for example FAMILY MAN is Leoni's best role and indeed some of her fans claim to have seen the film over a dozen times. This unusual outing, THE ANSWER MAN, is arguably Graham's best effort. Sure the script is weak. Sure there are stretches when nothing seems to happen. But through it all we have the odd chemistry between Daniels (way before his breakout role in Newsroom) and Graham. This the glue that makes this film special. And memorable.

Left wanting more than we were given

[john32935 · 5/10 · 20 January 2015]

I was predisposed to like this movie through the sheer casting of the ever-lovely Lauren Graham as the female lead. Unfortunately, that is not enough to carry this movie.

Both Ms. Graham and Jeff Daniels do a fine job of portraying their characters, but the story has too many holes to make this movie enjoyable. Mr. Daniels plays a reclusive author who has hidden himself from the world for 20 years since he wrote the mega-popular "God and Me," the transcript of his conversation with God. When Mr. Daniels is forced into the real world, he meets Ms. Graham and there is instant attraction (believable as to his reaction…see above disclaimer, but seems inconsistent with his prior choice of a being a recluse.) Through the story, the two leads draw each other out of their respective shells, fall apart, and then, surprise, wind up with a happy ending. I did not believe the initial attraction; I really did not believe the reason for their breakup; and then the supposed twist at the end seemed to undermine the whole premise of any attraction in the first place.

Not that the movie is all bad. As I mentioned there are good performances, some interesting dialog, and the framework of a good premise. It is just that all these elements do not come together enough to make this a movie worth seeing.

A Touching Little Comedy/Drama That Deserves A Large Audience

[Michael-70 · 10/10 · 31 March 2009]

Twenty years ago, Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) was a man facing a very difficult time. His father had developed Alzheimer's disease and in his desperation and pain Faber called out to God with questions and when God did not answer them, he decided to answer them himself.

Well, the manuscript Faber wrote containing his Socratic dialog with God was accidentally seen by a young book publisher who took a chance on this unknown author and the result was a book titled Me And God that took the world of publishing by storm. Me And God has been read and adored by millions of people all over the world and it is now celebrating twenty years in print.

But Arlen Faber is not some soft New Age guru with an open heart and an empty head; he is a misanthropic cuss who maintains a JD Salinger like existence eschewing all interviews, book signings and personal appearances. It seems like God is punishing Faber's dislike of people who pretend to have all the answers by turning him into one.

Meanwhile, Chris (Lou Taylor Pucci) has just finished a 27-day stint in an alcohol rehab center and he returns to the used bookstore he manages only to discover it is very quickly going out of business.

Adding to Chris's troubles is that he lives with his alcoholic father whose major hobby is passing out on the sofa surrounded by liquor bottles. This is not a good environment for someone newly sober, but Chris is stuck and he does not know what to do.

Another character in this Philadelphia neighborhood is Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) who has just opened her own chiropractic business, but business is slow. Elizabeth also has a six- year-old son named Alex (Max Antisell) who she is trying to raise on her own ever since the boy's father ran out on them.

There is a lot of set-up and back-story needed to get The Answer Man going, but once it starts, The Answer Man becomes a dramatic and intelligent comedy about three screwed up people and how their chance encounter with each other proves beneficial to them all.

In lesser hands, this film could have been intolerable, like an Afterschool Special injected with high fructose corn syrup, but writer/director John Hindman, in his debut film shows admirable restraint in the mush department.

This is quite amazing since Mr. Hindman, who introduced his film today at the Philadelphia Film Festival/Cinefest 2009 said that he was hoping to make The Answer Man just like the old Frank Capra movies he enjoyed when he was younger. Let it be noted that director Frank Capra, for all his gifts, never showed any restraint when it came to inflicting sentimental mush on audiences.

Some people will think the characters chance meetings are too contrived, like in the film Crash; others may find the story resolutions (or lack of resolutions in some cases) to be too facile and generic.

Either you will accept this film on its terms or you won't. As for me, I accepted the plot and characters and I really enjoyed the sassy, sometimes bitter wit in the dialog and the simple visual style that makes this film a small unassuming little gem that I hope connects with a larger audience.

This could be tricky as there are no big denouements in The Answer Man. Mostly because there are no big problems. The characters are all stymied by the ordinary problems people face on a day-to-day basis.

This might make some feel that The Answer Man is promising more than it can ultimately deliver, but if that's the way you feel, then the film did exactly what I think it was trying to do, which is to make you realize that there are no gurus out there who have all the answers.

This is a tough lesson to learn. Many regular people are crushed when they discover that their idols (literary or other) are just ordinary human beings, but that is nothing compared to the crushing blow an idol feels when he discovers that fact. Who does the answer man turn to when he has questions?

Fortunately, The Answer Man keeps the story small and tightly focused. The script and the actors all play out their little mini-dramas with no big scenes, but lots of small touching ones.

I have to single out Jeff Daniels for praise because it is his grumpy, cynical, yet not completely disillusioned author who carries this film. Furthermore, Daniels is an actor who actually looks like he could have written a book. Most movie actors barely look like they could even read a book.

The Greek philosopher Socrates once said that "The unexamined life is not worth living", but truly, there is nothing scarier than self-examination. I mean, what if you don't like what you discover?

This explains why most people would rather pull off their fingernails with pliers than actually sit down and think. Wouldn't it be easier if we could just turn to someone else who has already done the necessary hard thinking so all we have to do is follow their advice?

While it's great to get people interested in reaching conclusions; how do you keep them from jumping to the wrong ones? Enter the contemporary self-help books; talk about a vast wasteland.

I am consistently amazed that people will walk into a bookstore and completely ignore the great works by great minds like Schopenhauer, Hegel, Plato, Descartes, Spinoza, Confucius and instead purchase books by frauds and nit wits like Deepak Chopra or Dr. Phil.

The truth is that many people are looking for answers to life's persistent questions and while they often put their faith in dubious practices like Feng Shui or astrology, they are still seriously trying to examine their lives so I have to give them an "A" for effort. It's not easy.

Leaves me a little confused and frustrated

[enriquez16-302-311661 · 5/10 · 25 February 2012]

Through the entire movie I was trying to figure out why he was so angry. There wasn't even a glimpse of why until the end where he explains that the book he wrote where he supposedly speaks to God wasn't true. He said he was angry because his father died and he needed answers. He begged God for answers and got none. So he wrote all his questions down. Of course then the answers just started coming to him so he wrote those down too. So then people were asking if he made it all up and everyone seemed angry and upset. This to me is the confusing part. It seems like yet another anti-God or religion movie, and yet isn't anyone going to point out that, that is exactly how God communicates to people. Perhaps not to Prophets, but to the rest of us out there. You are so confused and then suddenly the answers just appear. No we don't hear the voice of God, but that doesn't mean God doesn't talk to us. So I was surprised that no one in the audience when he made this confession said something like that. So although the movie seems like it may be anti-God, it is actually God affirming in my opinion.

Much better than I thought

[pcampionz · 10/10 · 26 May 2021]

Such great acting by the cast, and well cast too. I wasn't sure what this movie was going to be about, nor had I ever heard of this one. Not too many stinkers in Mr Daniels repertoire. If you like a film with some drama and great character development, this one will be for you. Jeff and Lauren really carry the load on this one.

One of the worst movies I have ever seen

[jessecj · 1/10 · 16 August 2009]

Many people have written and continue to write profound things about human quests to know God. This movie should not be mistaken for one of them. As Sarahrck observes, "religious themes are pretty minimal." The superficial telling of Arlen Faber's disconnect from the religious truths he is supposed to have discovered and shared with the world (of which we also get only a superficial glimpse) overwhelm what sweetness might otherwise be manifested in Arlen's falling in love with the utterly charming Elizabeth, and the stories of real people dealing with real problems, which Arlen so far has managed to avoid doing.

The movie tries to tell us something about human quests to know God by showing the discovery by someone who wrote a wildly popular book about human quests to know God that he had claimed to know more than he knew. It is pop religion once removed, sprinkled with romance to try to make it palatable.

Nobody's perfect but if we listen to each other the world would be a much better place

[Ed-Shullivan · 8/10 · 9 July 2022]

Alen Farber (Jeff Daniels) is a financially successful author of a twenty (20) year old renowned spiritual book titled "God and Me" but his personal life is in shambles to which we won't discover the reason why until near the end of the film. As both he and his life both seem to be miserable the only person he wants to interact with and even then begrudgingly and only out of necessity is his agent Terry Fraser (Nora Dunn).

Arlen eventually ends up allowing two new people into his personal space.

One of the two people he becomes attached to is a personable chiropractor named Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) who is raising her young shy son as a single parent. The other person who gradually wins Arlen's trust is a local book store owner named Kris Lucas (Lou Taylor Pucci).

All three main characters have troubles but if we as the audience cannot recognize even one of these characters flaws in our own personal lives than kudos to you for living the perfect life.

This is a warm and feel good film with a relatively happy ending and this is the type of film that Mrs. Shullivan and I enjoy most. A film we can relate to with real people who experience real life challenges/problems who eventually help each other live a fuller life in a happier world.

I give it a much appreciated 8 out of 10 IMDb score.