There is Uncle Charlie, bartender ( Ben Affleck) in a bar named "The Dickens" inspired by Charles Dickens and instead of liquor bottles in the cabinet he has a collection of books. Something more unusual is that he doles out serious advice to young 10 year old boy JR ( Daniel Ranieri) on how an ideal man should behave. This movie is based on the memoirs of famous journalist JR Moehringer, and chronicles his growth from a boy to a young man studying at Yale and later aspiring to be a writer.
JR has gone through a troubled childhood without a father, has been through a turbulent manhood ( getting dumped 9 times, getting rejected for a job) but learns a lot from Uncle Charlie constantly. ( Later in life Uncle Charlie tells him to select philosophy as a subject since there are no right answers in this subject). JR's mom however has been supporting him throughout and this keeps him going as he navigates his ups and downs. A heart-warming scene has young JR attending a " Breakfast with dad" session in school with his grandpa standing in for his missing father.
A warm, sentimental film embellished with some good acting by Ben Affleck who carries the film well and gives it class. Young Daniel Ranieri is lovable and plays his role like a seasoned professional. Credit to the handsome hunk behind the camera, that is director George Clooney who has done a competent job. The movie has a foot tapping soundtrack of, believe it or not, around thirty numbers which add to the entertainment value of the movie. The movie ends on a positive note for JR as he says that unlike the selection process to become a lawyer, one has only to have self belief and can become a writer when one is ready.
