JIM reviews film “THE ANSWER MAN” – Not enough Solutions to a Mild Script =

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“THE ANSWER MAN” – Not enough Solutions to a Mild Script =

Rating: 7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening).

JEFF DANIELS plays Arlen, an arrogant & anti-social writer of a famous book about talking to God. On the 20th anniversary of its release, his lady agent wants him to publicize a special edition— but, as usual, he’s uncooperative. A back problem leads him to visit a chiropractor, single mom Elizabeth (LAUREN GRAHAM), who he starts to fall for. He becomes really sociable with her outgoing 7-year-old overly-protected son Alex (MAX ANTISELL). A sub-plot (not properly developed in my opinion) involves his reluctantly answering Life Changing questions posed by a young recovering-alcoholic book-seller Kris (well played by LOU TAYLOR PUCCI). The movie meanders along in telling how he gradually interacts with the various other characters & slowly becomes more genial in the process. There’s ridiculous continuity / editing errors left in regarding the usage of a record player, and weak developments of potentially-promising / interesting relationships (re Max, Lou with his numerous personal problems, + the very end with Lauren). It’s a generally pleasant, well-acted film, but could have been so much better with script improvements.