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 [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 December 2009 (France)

Also Known As:

The Dream of the Romans

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

When Arlen first tries to sell books to the bookstore he is taking a different number to or from the cart or counter each time the camera leaves and returns to his character (takes two but has three and visa versa).

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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

References Clash of the Titans (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Isn't It Romantic"
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Courtesy of The Verve Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Enjoyable and thoughtful

This film follows the mystery man who wrote the most popular book of all time, answers that he has for God and the answer to them. He stays in recluse and is infuriated by his search for true spirituality, and in lieu of searching for the solution for his back issues he is entranced by a woman who hasn't heard of him.

The follows three people in their life and how they come to effect one another and while romance.

Movie with some very thoughtful, quirky quotes ever.

Enjoyable and thoughtful this is one of my favorite movies with Jeff Daniels, or at least my introduction to the brilliance of Jeff Daniels.