Dedication (2007)

The romantic comedy follows a misogynistic children's book author who is forced to work closely with a female illustrator instead of his long-time collaborator and only friend.

Director:

Justin Theroux

Writer:

David Bromberg

Stars:

Tom Wilkinson, Billy Crudup, Christine Taylor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Wilkinson	...	Rudy Holt
Billy Crudup	...	Henry Roth
Christine Taylor	...	Allison
Bob Balaban	...	Arthur Planck
Catherine Lloyd Burns	...	Mother in Bookstore
Amy Sedaris	...	Cassidy's Mom
Cassidy Hinkle	...	Cassidy
Mandy Moore	...	Lucy Reilly
Jeremy Shamos	...	Matthew
Christopher Fitzgerald	...	Robin (as Chris Fitzgerald)
Dianne Wiest	...	Carol
Jicky Schnee	...	Mandy the Waitress
John Ellison Conlee	...	Man at Lucy's
Martin Freeman	...	Jeremy
Christopher Grey Misa	...	Abused Kid (as Chris Misa)

Storyline

Henry Roth: obsessive-compulsive, somewhat misanthropic, a writer of children's books. His illustrator and only friend, Rudy, dies after a fabulously successful collaboration on "Marty, the Beaver." Henry is under contract to produce another Marty book for Christmas sales. His publisher, Arthur Planck, assigns penniless, lovelorn illustrator Lucy Reilly to work with Henry. She's sought by her ex-boyfriend Jeremy, who dumped her two years ago but shows up apologetic, having dedicated his new book to her. She and Henry go to a house on the shore to work. Will love bloom amid the rocks, or is Henry a bump on Lucy's road to Jeremy? Rudy's voice, from the grave, gives Henry counsel.

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Plot Keywords:

book | illustrator | children's book | friend | love | 

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Taglines:

With each moment we write our story

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

The Weinstein Company [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Afosiosi

Filming Locations:

Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$23,832 (USA) (24 August 2007)

Gross:

$91,169 (USA) (5 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, Hart-Lunsford Pictures, Plum Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Justin Theroux:  The lawyer on the phone.

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Quotes

Henry: I've spent my whole life wanting something and doing my very best not to find it. Never even going near the places it might be, and suddenly I got the god damn thing practically chained around my neck.
Lucy: What are you talking about?
Henry: You, you're the god damned thing.

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Crazy Credits

The writer dedicates his work in memory of Jonathan Louis Kaplan (June 6, 1961 - December 28, 1997)

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Connections

Features Daikaijû Gamera (1965)

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Soundtracks

"Ask Me Anything"
Written by Julian Casablancas and Nick Valensi
Arranged by The Strokes
Performed by The Strokes
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label
By Arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

User Reviews

Unlikely romance story with some edge, features breakout role for Mandy Moore

Saw this at the premiere showing at Sundance, where it played well for the crowd and apparently Harvery Weinstein liked it so much he bought it. I really didn't know what to expect from this movie as it featured a actor turned first time director and an unlikely pairing of serious actor Crudup and former pop star Mandy Moore. The movie feels part Garden State, with a similar tale of depressed-anxiety ridden guy meeting girl and romance. However Crudups character Henry who is a children's book author is far from being the lovable depressed dope, he's edgy and seriously troubled from what is hinted at as an abusive childhood. Henry's only friend is Rusty his collaborator and book illustrator played by the always reliable Tom Wilkinson, Rusty knows that Henry is on a path of self destruction an forewarns him that he may not always be around to help keep him sane. Rusty becomes ill and thus enters Lucy, the new illustrator, the transition as you would expect is not an easy on for Henry and he makes a mess of what is obviously a blessing in disguise. With Lucys persistence and willingness the two work on the book and romance is kindled however an old flame of Lucys proves a problem as does Henrys demons.

Crudup as Henry is quite good, but the character has such a sharp tongue and dark disposition at first that it was hard to not hold resentment against him for much of the film. However as the film goes on and Henry shows more of his likable eccentric quirks your hoping for him to change and that works in the films favor. Mandy Moore brings life to this film that made all the difference to me. As soon as her character Lucy enters the film the whole movie changed for the better. Without her sweet smile and persistent patience with Henry this film wouldn't work in the least. The director Justin Theroux, who you probably know from Charlie's Angels 2 as the Irish gangster, does a great job in his debut and works magic with the soundtrack and adds in some unique visuals along the way to enhance the viewing. All and All audiences should find this movie to be a good indie romance comedy/drama, the type one would expect from the indie world with rough edges and darker subject matter then your typical Hugh Grant -Julia Roberts type stuff.