- A reclusive author of spiritual books is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab.
- 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.—The Massie Twins
- In 1988, the book ME AND GOD by Arlen Faber is released and becomes a best selling phenomenon. The book is made up of questions asked by the author and answers supposedly by god. The questions include deep philosophical questions such as "What am I here?," "Does prayer work?," "Where do dreams come from?," etc. The book receives world wide acclaim and has profound influence on the world inspiring countless new books about or related to the original such as books on science, cook books, etc. even decades after its release.
Twenty years later, the 20th anniversary edition of ME AND GOD is going to be released. Arlen Faber's agent, Terry Fraser (Nora Dunn), is having a meeting in her office. The man she is meeting with wants to do an expose on Arlen to coincide with the release of the anniversary edition and wants to interview Arlen for it. Terry explains that Arlen does not do interviews and never has.
Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) is in his house meditating. His meditation is interrupted by the doorbell annoying Arlen and causing him to scream profanities his entire way to open his front door. At the door is the Mailman (Tony Hale) with some packages and a giant laundry bag full of fan mail for Arlen. The Mailman is hoping to meet the famous author, but Arlen denies being Faber and even signs a fake name for the packages.
Arlen opens the packages, one of which is a possible sample cover for the anniversary edition from Terry. Arlen throws it aside and then throws the big bag of fan mail into his mail room which already contains tons of mail and a heavy duty shredder.
Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) makes an overly healthy breakfast for her son Alex containing egg whites and fake bacon which he seems less than enthusiastic to eat. She then drops Alex off at school who has to get himself out of an over-the-top protective car seat. Once Alex is out of the car and walking into school, Elizabeth changes the classical music to rock and lights a cigarette.
Kris Lucas (Lou Taylor Pucci) is leaving rehab, about which he seems nervous and reluctant. The staff at the rehab remind him to find a sponsor and stay sober after leaving. Kris returns home to find his dad sleeping on the couch. While unlocking the door to his bookstore, his employee, Dahlia (Kat Dennings), comes running across the street holding a bunch of delivered newspapers screaming for Kris not to be mad at her. Dahlia lost her copy of keys to the bookstore right after Kris went to rehab, so the store has been closed for 27 days.
Arlen finishes reading a set of religious guidance books. He becomes irritated as the books did not help him at all. He wheels them to Kris' bookstore to sell them. Kris informs Arlen the bookstore can't afford to buy any books at the moment. Arlen just doesn't want the books in his house any more, so he tries to give them to the store for free. However, as part of Kris' recovery, he says he is not supposed to owe anyone right now and refuses the books. Annoyed by the refusal, Arlen leaves with the books and seems to tweak his back in the process.
While putting on a record at home, Arlen throws out his back and falls to the floor. Elizabeth ends a disappointing date essentially telling her date she feels ambivalent about him seeing no point to continue. Kris is sitting on the couch watching TV with his dad, who is drinking and seems unfazed by his son's recovery and struggles with sobriety. Kris leaves and approaches a building where an AA meeting just ended. Kris asks if a meeting just ended and mentions just getting out of rehab. One of the participants tells Kris they have meetings there often and encourages him to attend.
Back at Arlen's house, Arlen is still lying on the ground. He uses the voice operated feature of his phone to call Terry for help. Terry tells him to ask god for help and hangs up on him. Arlen wakes up to find Terry, who has turned off the record player which has been playing the same song on repeat, in his house. Terry is mad at Arlen since he won't help her with anything for the anniversary edition release of the book. After Arlen wrongly answers trick questions Terry asks him about the sample book jacket she sent over for the anniversary edition, she turns the record player back on and leaves without helping Arlen.
Arlen eventually gets up on his hands and knees. He crawls outside and continues crawling until he comes upon Elizabeth's newly opened chiropractic practice. Elizabeth's employee, Anne (Olivia Thirlby), is caught off guard by Arlen as they have not had any clients yet and Arlen crawled in. Arlen threatens Anne as she tries to go through new patient items with him that he has no patience for since he is literally on his hands and knees in pain. Anne gets Elizabeth from the back who has Arlen crawl into the back where she helps him up onto the table. She helps fix Arlen's back over a two-hour session. She has Arlen stand up and walk across the room. Arlen is amazed at how much better he feels and even more so when he turns around and actually sees Elizabeth for the first time obviously attracted to her.
Back in the lobby, Arlen overpays for the session and coordinates to return the following week for another session. Arlen makes it a point to tell Elizabeth his full name, Arlen Faber. Once he says it, Anne's eyes grow wide in recognition. Arlen repeats his name a couple times hoping for Elizabeth to recognize it, but she doesn't. After Arlen leaves, Anne comments, "That's Arlen Faber" prompting Elizabeth to ask "Who's Arlen Faber?." Arlen struts home happily while looking at the business card given to him by Elizabeth. Back at Elizabeth's office, Anne has just told Elizabeth who Arlen Faber is and Elizabeth is awed.
The Mailman delivers another package to Arlen and tricks Arlen into admitting he is in fact Arlen Faber. Arlen has the Mailman promise not to reveal his identity and address to anyone else. In the bookstore, Kris and Dahlia are reading aloud a letter from a bill collector when a little girl comes into the store to try and sneakily sell one of Arlen's books which Kris and Dahlia easily catch onto. Kris gives the little girl $5 and tells her not to give any to Arlen. Elizabeth enters the bookstore to put up flyers for her new practice. While there, she asks if they have ME AND GOD. Dahlia laughs and directs Elizabeth to the big ME AND GOD section which contains not only copies of the book but also hundreds of other books inspired by, related to, or trying to explain ME AND GOD. Later Elizabeth is seen finishing reading Arlen's book and seems affected by it.
Arlen returns to Elizabeth's office. Once there, he pretends to be hurt again and crawls in on his hands and knees. During his session, Arlen encourages Elizabeth to tell him about herself. After mentioning she has a son, Elizabeth is taken aback by Arlen's interesting description of what is so wonderful about children. Elizabeth mentions she read his book, and Arlen practically jumps up excitedly and thanks her. She asks him if he still communicates with god, and Arlen says, "Now more than ever."
Arlen walks into a church and sits down in a pew hoping to feel inspired and/or enlightened. After moving to various different pews and feeling no inspiration or enlightenment, Arlen gets frustrated and leaves, even taking back the money he put in the donation plate when he entered.
Kris and his dad talk over breakfast. His dad asks him how the AA meetings are going and mentions he even went to one once before. Upon hearing this, Kris gets excited and offers to help his dad find some meetings he may be interested in. His dad isn't interested, but he does tell Kris he's happy for him for going to them.
The Mailman delivers another letter to Arlen, and this time the Mailman has brought his entire family with him who start singing Arlen a song much to his dismay. In the bookstore, Kris is talking to a customer when books start falling off of the bookcases into the aisle. Kris walks over to the next aisle where he sees Arlen trying to be disguised in a trench coat, sunglasses, and a hat sneaking books into the bookcases. Arlen starts to run once discovered by Kris and a struggle ensues with Arlen's trench coat coming off and Arlen leaving it behind to run out of the store. Kris picks up the coat and sees a patch inside that says "Tailored Exclusively for Arlen Faber."
Arlen is home reading when Terry calls him on the phone. She pesters him about writing a Forward for the anniversary edition that he promised her he would write and hasn't. Arlen blows her off. While Arlen is sitting in the lobby of Elizabeth's office, Anne comically mistakes Arlen handing her his phone number as him coming onto her. When Elizabeth comes out of the back, Arlen asks her to go on a walk with him. During the walk, Elizabeth tells Arlen her rules to live by and comments how she'll never live on the wealthy block where they are walking. Arlen tells her some profound thing 'god' says on the subject.
Kris is about to walk into his house when he hears his dad drunkenly singing. He hesitates then walks away and sits on a bench somewhere. Kris notices the Mailman passing by, and Kris asks him if he knows where Arlen Faber lives. The Mailman's happy expression turns sour. He tells Kris Arlen's address and then comments that Arlen threw water on his family.
Next, Kris is standing in front of Arlen's house holding up Arlen's jacket so the patch with his name is visible when Arlen comes to the door. Kris says he needs someone to ask advice of every now and then, so he offers Arlen a deal. Since Arlen wants to get rid of his books so badly, Kris will trade Arlen books for being able to ask Arlen questions. When Arlen seems as though he is going to reject the deal, Kris threatens to reveal Arlen's address to every 'new-age' reader who comes into his store. Arlen reluctantly accepts the deal.
At Arlen's next appointment, Elizabeth tells Arlen she's excited cause her son got a good grade on a school assignment. She asks Arlen if he'd like to meet him. Elizabeth introduces Arlen to her son Alex. Arlen congratulates him on his grade and shakes his hand. He walks outside with Elizabeth and tells her the cool thing about shaking hands with kids is that kids do it because they see adults shake hands, but kids don't realize adults squeeze the other person's hand when they shake so kids just tend to hold your hand for a couple seconds. Elizabeth is taken aback at Arlen's observation and makes a point to shake Alex's hand when she goes back into her office.
Kris shows up at Arlen's house multiple times asking him a different question each time, often a deep philosophical question such as whether he has free will or are his actions destined to occur. Each time Arlen answers the question and then gives Kris books to take away.
Arlen calls and leaves Elizabeth a voicemail asking her out on a date fumbling through the message. Arlen tries listening to a guided meditation. He gets annoyed at the meditation's constant interruptions and throwing the CD breaking it. Arlen is walking out the door for his date when Kris shows up to ask another question. Arlen tells him it's not a good time as he has plans which seems to prompt Kris to ask his first truly personal question for advice. Kris comments that he is trying to stay sober, but despite knowing this, his father still constantly drinks around him and how can Kris love his dad when he acts that way. Arlen tells him he may need to adjust his expectations or stop accepting it, either way he'll have more of a resolution. Arlen advises Kris to go to AA meetings and apologizes for the way Arlen treated him the first time they met as Arlen did not realize that Kris was going through a tough time. Kris points out the apology implies that it's okay to treat people badly if they aren't having a tough time.
Arlen and Elizabeth go on their date. At dinner, Arlen asks about Alex's father. Elizabeth tells Arlen about Alex's father abandoning them and lying to Alex saying he'd be back in two weeks. In the middle of this, the pianist at the restaurant starts playing the song that was on repeat when Arlen's back went out causing Arlen to flip out and tip the pianist $100 to play any other song. This abrupt outburst throws Elizabeth off. Arlen gets her to continue telling him by saying that god is listening. She tells him about her worries, and he tells her some profound response encouraging her that she is doing a great job.
After dinner, they go back to Arlen's house. Elizabeth comments how nice it is and is surprised when Arlen tells her no one has been in the house for five years since his father passed away. Elizabeth comments about how the directional signs all over the house which Arlen explains were there as an aide since his father had Alzheimers. Arlen's protectiveness over his environment concerns Elizabeth after he tells her not to touch the piano and freaks out when she moves a toy monster from his monster collection outside of its cabinet. Arlen realizes he is messing it up when he stops a kiss to put the monster back. He recovers and kisses Elizabeth.
Kris is at an AA meeting. When confronted to talk, Kris rants about how much he hates the situation of having to be there and everyone there. He is surprised as his rant seems to be well received and agreed with by many of the people present.
After walking Elizabeth and Alex to their car, Arlen makes fun of Alex's over-the-top car seat upsetting Elizabeth. Arlen and Kris have a conversation about heaven and hell over coffee on Arlen's steps. Arlen walks to Elizabeth's office to find Anne outside dressed up in a spine costume handing out promotional flyers. Arlen walks in to tell Elizabeth how ridiculous it is when they realize Anne has fallen over. They help her up, but Anne is so upset and crying hysterically that she goes home leaving Elizabeth without someone to watch Alex. Arlen offers to take Alex to the park. Elizabeth is reluctant but agrees.
Kris shows up at Arlen's house, but Arlen tells him its not a good time as Elizabeth is over. Kris tells Arlen his dad died today. Arlen seems sympathetic but still doesn't want to interrupt his evening with Elizabeth. Elizabeth comes out, and after Kris tells her his dad died, she invites Kris in. After Kris had commented about how Arlen could give him extra books for the intrusion, Elizabeth asks and is told about the questions for books deal between Arlen and Kris. Elizabeth is repulsed by the deal. Elizabeth asks Kris about his bookstore and what he likes about it. Arlen makes a rude interjection, but Elizabeth ignores him and gets Kris to continue. She gets Kris to open up about his fears and comforts him.
While walking him out, Elizabeth tells Kris to come by her business for a free adjustment this week. Kris hugs both Elizabeth and Arlen before leaving. Arlen tells him he is around if he needs anything, but it almost seems more forced than a genuine statement. After Kris leaves, Elizabeth abruptly says she has to leave before Arlen can even invite her back into his place. Elizabeth questions Arlen as to how he can say such nice amazing and thoughtful things to her but so different to someone who just lost his father. Arlen struggles to answer, and Elizabeth leaves.
It's morning and Arlen is sitting on his porch reading the paper with two cups of coffee apparently waiting for Kris to come by but he doesn't. Elizabeth is at her office leaving a voicemail apologizing to Anne for making her wear the spine costume begging her to come back to work when Kris shows up for his free adjustment. During the session, Elizabeth and Kris discuss Arlen and why he doesn't want anyone to know who he is. Elizabeth seems conflicted when Kris asks her about her feelings for Arlen. When Kris is leaving, Elizabeth promises to come by the book store, but Kris advises her the store may be going out of business soon. Kris comments how the first session is free and then they own you.
Having no other choice since Anne has not returned to work, Elizabeth calls Arlen to pick up Alex from school and watch him until Elizabeth can pick him up. When Arlen gets to the school, Alex's teacher tells him she is supposed to have a parent/teacher conference with Alex's mother. Elizabeth lied and told the school Arlen is Alex's uncle, so since not having the conference might jeopardize Alex's potential acceptance into an advanced school program, Arlen agrees to participate in the parent/teacher conference. The teacher seems to have some nitpicking complaints about Alex which causes Arlen to get defensive of Alex and tell the teacher off.
Back at Arlen's house, Arlen has cooked Alex and him hamburgers. Alex is reluctant to eat it as his mom has told him that meat is poisonous. Arlen convinces Alex to try the burger which he likes. While Arlen is cleaning dishes in the kitchen, Alex starts playing on Arlen's piano. Arlen comes in and sits next to Alex on the piano bench. Alex asks Arlen to play something, but Arlen says no and explains playing the piano reminds him of his father who died and makes him sad. Alex asks Arlen if he misses his dad. Then Alex asks Arlen how long is two weeks. After Arlen hesitates, Alex says, "It's okay. I don't know either."
Elizabeth comes to Arlen's house to pick up Alex. Arlen goes to tell Elizabeth something as Alex and her are leaving but decides against it. Since Kris hasn't stopped by to see Arlen lately, Arlen goes to the bookstore one night. Arlen finds the bookstore mostly dark and Kris sitting on the floor toward the back with an unopened bottle of liquor. Kris tells Arlen that today was his dad's funeral, and he didn't know a single person at the service. Kris seems discouraged and starts twisting some of the advice Arlen has given him in a negative way to support him drinking. Arlen tries to tell him that isn't what he meant, but Kris gets annoyed at him and tells him to leave which Arlen reluctantly does.
On another day, Elizabeth shows up at Arlen's house. She apologizes for forgetting about the parent/teacher conference that was scheduled for the day Arlen picked up Alex and asked Arlen how it went. Arlen sensing he may be in trouble for telling off the teacher says it went fine and speaks in generalities. Elizabeth says that Alex's teacher called her and said the teacher is recommending Alex for the advanced program. Arlen tells Elizabeth he is weary of the advanced program as he got a bad impression from Alex's teacher, and that Alex needs more confidence, not the program. Elizabeth becomes defensive. Arlen tries to let it go, but after some prodding from Elizabeth, Arlen points out the possible negative effects of Elizabeth's over-protectiveness such as the over-the-top car seat, all the weird foods, etc. Then Arlen tells Elizabeth she needs to tell Alex the truth about his father. Elizabeth gets a horrified look on her face asking what Arlen said to Alex. Arlen says he didn't say anything to Alex, but that Alex asked him how long two weeks is. Elizabeth gets mad, tells Arlen off, and leaves.
A piano musical montage plays while various things happen. Kris and Dahlia put up a Going Out of Business sign in the bookstore's window. Anne meets up with Elizabeth at a cafe. Arlen sits in his house reading fan mail. Elizabeth and Alex are sitting down eating pizza together. Kris is standing at the front of an AA meeting speaking. Arlen takes the toy monster out of his cabinet and puts it back where Elizabeth had the night of their date. Arlen also takes down all the directional signs hanging on the walls in his house. Elizabeth and Alex are driving with Alex in the front seat instead of the back with the over-the-top car seat. Finally, we see Arlen playing the piano.
Kris walks around the corner surprised to see a huge gathering of people outside the bookstore. Kris unlocks the door and walks inside where he meet Terry, Arlen's agent. She asks Kris how he managed to do it but then realizes Kris has no idea what is going on. Terry explains that Arlen is going to speak at Kris' bookstore for the release of the 20th anniversary edition of Me and God. Kris still not fully understanding or believing what is going on becomes worried because the store doesn't have any money to buy the many boxes of the 20th anniversary editions of Me and God that Terry is setting up all over the store. Dahlia tells him not to worry as the books are a gift from Arlen. Kris excitedly opens the door and leaves the store as the crowd of people then make their way into the store and start buying copies of the book seemingly saving the business.
Kris runs to Elizabeth's office. There are a bunch of new clients filling out paperwork. On the window is a new promotion, "The First One's Free" just like Kris had said after his free adjustment. Kris tells Elizabeth that Arlen is going to speak at the bookstore. Anne and Kris, having not met before, notice each other in an obvious mutual attraction sort of way.
Arlen shows up at the bookstore. Terry introduces Arlen who tells her she was right and that he should have done appearances like this a long time ago. Arlen starts off by thanking Kris and the bookstore calling it the best bookstore in Philadelphia. Arlen then thanks Terry for being the one person who saw the potential of the book all those years ago. Arlen says he knows the crowd has questions which leads to all of them trying to speak at the same time. Arlen motions to silence them, and Arlen admits he can't talk to god.
Arlen tells them how ME AND GOD came to be. Over twenty years ago after his father was diagnosed with Alzheimers, Arlen began praying to god for help, started asking questions, and begging for answers, but he received no response. One day he started writing down the questions he had. When answers to those questions came to him, he wrote them down too. Eventually, he had so many pages, he turned it into a book. He finally makes eye contact with Elizabeth who is in the crowd. She looks hurt as walks off as he lied to her as he had always made it seem like he had actually communicated with god and much of the great things he said to her actually came from god. Arlen runs out of the bookstore after her.
Arlen catches up to Elizabeth despite her telling him to stop following her. She tells him he's too complicated of a person and not what Alex and her need in their lives. He apologizes for lying but says he meant every word he said. It just came from him and not god. He tells her he is exactly what they need in their lives and Alex and her are the answer to every question he has ever had. He suggests they start over. She agrees and they reintroduce themselves as if meeting for the first time. Then they walk off together and the credits start.
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