'The Answer Man' review

Lauren Graham and Jeff Daniels (Credit: Magnolia)

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Reclusive author/stubborn jerk Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) has shied away from doing any interviews or appearances for the 20 years since his book, "Me and God," became a worldwide spiritual sensation. Now the writer, who claimed the book was taken from an actual conversation with the Creator, falls for chiropractor/single mother Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) while begrudgingly advising young, recovering alcoholic Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci).

The buzz: Between Arlen's longing for his deceased father, Elizabeth resenting her son's absentee father and Kris struggling with his dad's alcoholism, "The Answer Man" comes awfully loaded with parental baggage. Hopefully this romantic comedy can purposefully explore people's never-ending search for answers and their relief at finding someone who, seemingly, can actually provide them.

The verdict: This is one of the better-acted pieces of mediocrity in a while, with tender performances from Daniels and Graham working to counteract the hopeless sentimentality. That's a tall order, though; writer-director John Hindman makes everything three times as obvious as it should be, including a painful metaphor involving Arlen keeping toy monsters locked away in a cabinet. By the shallow, predictable conclusion, a film that could have been a charming romance between adults becomes, ultimately, just like Arlen: transparent drivel masquerading as truth.

Did you know? Arlen says he respects kids because they are "short, highly emotional people who don't know anything." Is there any compliment better than a backhanded one?

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