The Answer Man (2009)
"Arlen Faber" (original title)

A reclusive author of spiritual books, is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab.

Director:

John Hindman

Writer:

John Hindman (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Daniels	...	Arlen Faber
Lauren Graham	...	Elizabeth
Lou Taylor Pucci	...	Kris Lucas
Olivia Thirlby	...	Anne
Kat Dennings	...	Dahlia
Nora Dunn	...	Terry Fraser
Tony Hale	...	Mailman
Annie Corley	...	Mrs. Gold
Max Antisell	...	Alex
Thomas Roy	...	Riley Lucas
Peter Patrikios	...	Ross
Greg Wood	...	Businessman #1
Richard Lyntton	...	Journalist (as Richard G. Lyntton)
Richard Barlow	...	Paul
Sally Mercer	...	Customer

Storyline

Everyone wants to meet Arlen Faber, the world famous author of the best-selling spiritual book "Me and God", but crotchety, disgruntled Arlen simply wants to be left alone - and so far he's been successful in keeping his identity a secret. But all that changes when troubled bookstore owner Kris Lucas discovers his home address and barters books for Arlen's words of wisdom, and a back injury leads the reclusive writer to begin dating chiropractor and overprotective single mother Elizabeth. As Arlen's relationships with his newfound friends begin to grow, he must come to terms with his past and the realization that he doesn't hold all the answers.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | back injury | reclusive writer | chiropractor | writer | 

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Taglines:

He wrote the book on life's big questions. But the truth is he hasn't got a clue.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 December 2009 (France)

Also Known As:

The Answer Man

Filming Locations:

Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,998 (USA) (24 July 2009)

Gross:

$25,589 (USA) (7 August 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

120dB Films, Messick Films, iDeal Partners Film Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the scene where Arlen has the girl attempt to sell one of his used books the girl looks directly at the camera for a brief second.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Arlen Faber: We would like to do a full exposé on Arlen Faber. It would coincide with the 20th anniversary release of Me and God. People want to read this story. I've read Me and God twelve times, for Christ's sake!

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.114 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Mr. Pitiful"
Written and Performed by Matt Costa
Courtesy of Brushfire Records/Universal Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Well done but yet medium rare

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.