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Magnolia Has ‘The Answer Man’

31 Aug, 2009 By: Billy Gil

The Answer Man

Street Date: 11/3
Prebook Date: 10/6
Studio: Magnolia
Price/Format: $26.98 DVD, $34.98 Blu-ray
Reserve on Amazon (DVD or Blu-ray)
Reserve on Netflix
Watch Now on Amazon

Indie comedies about self-help gurus seem to be growing in popularity, as this is the second one in a week I hear about coming to DVD. This one stars Jeff Daniels as Arlen Faber (which, incidentally, was the original name of the film), the author of “Me and God,” which has been translated into more than 100 languages. Twenty years after being published, the book still inspires people, but curmudgeon Arlen, who’s sort of a reclusive, self-help version of J.D. Salinger, couldn’t care less. Chance occurrences bring him into contact with Elizabeth (Lauren Graham), a single mom raising as seven-year-old, and Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci), a young man just out of rehab. They’re touched by his book, and Arlen is faced with actually having to interact with the people his book has helped. The film also stars Kat Dennings (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) and Olivia Thirlby (Juno), who are both great but sort of remind me of each other. The Answer Man was an official selection at Sundance.

 

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