The Answer Man

Jeff Daniels stars in this light drama about a man who purportedly talked to God and wrote a bestselling book 20 years ago. Now both he, a chiropractor with her son, and a young man all of whom are experiencing challenges in their lives meet to face their own inner ghosts. The Answer Man is a refreshing, creative and distinctly different drama that nevertheless ends on a rather non-mainstream, non-rom-com note that either reflects a more authentic examination of life or a slightly jarring diversion from popular expectations.

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.

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.

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.

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.