This is another New York-centric little character-driven film about a down-on-his-luck private detective, Jack(Burns), who takes a case for a sad-sack husband, Abe(Krumholtz) searching for his recently departed wife. Jack is a lonely man who has lost his wife and feels screwed by the system. Abe is a baseball coach from Upstate who longs for the return of his beloved Kitty. But she evidently tired of Abe's small-town ways and devotion to the kids on his team, so she took off to shack up with a rock star in a Manhattan condo. Despite their differences, and Jack's desire to be left alone, Abe persuades (for $500 extra/week) Jack to let him assist in his investigation; their daily interaction leads both men to learn something about themselves.
All the typical Burns' traits are there: poor schlub with relationship problems? Check. Men attempting to find themselves, usually with the help of unattainable women? Check. Witty dialog and terrific one-liners? Check. Enough shots of downtown New York to film a travel guide? Check. I mean, it's a decent little movie that hits a few high notes, such as when Jack wistfully gives historical back-ground about the "holdout" buildings left in the booming megalopolis that is downtown, or the gut-wrenching scenes of Burns pining for his lost wife. But there really isn't much to it, and what is there, we've seen it all from Mr. Burns before. And much better (i.e. Brothers McMullen, She's the One).
My advice to Ed: next time out, take a cue from the Wood-man and move your tale to another locale. Woody finally abandoned his beloved city, hopped across the pond to London, added some intrigue, and the result was his biggest critical and box office success in years, MATCH POINT; it was so successful he opted to make his next film there as well, although early reviews of SCOOP are not flattering. But maybe you could try Ireland, and add a little mystery or a torrid affair. Heck, even add Scarlett Johansson if you must. Because we love ya, Ed, for your everyman charm and ease in front of, and behind, the camera. But I for one am growing tired of your one note acts. You have the talent to do so much better.
