Dedication

This movie is about overcoming disabling emotional problems and leading a semi-normal life. No. Wait. Let me try again. This movie is about how literary dedications can spark action on even the most socially bankrupt people. Well, that's not quite right either. How about - this movie is about the dark underbelly of the children's book industry. Okay, I give up. I'm not sure what this movie was about.

Tom Wilkinson (The Full Monty, Michael Clayton, and HBO's John Adams) is the glue that holds the cast and the story together. Yes, he plays another crazy guy similar to his character in Michael Clayton, but this one is a sex-obsessed illustrator of best-selling children's books. When he dies, the publishing company forces another illustrator on his writing partner.

The partner, played by Billy Crudup (Big Fish, Mission Impossible III, and The Good Shepherd) is, for the most part of the movie, totally without redeeming qualities. No doubt that is by design. As he begins to change, way too late in the story for my tastes, it is almost too total to be believed, and one wonders how long it will last. The abrupt ending is a bit unsatisfying too. But I did like that he was savvy enough to not use negative weapons to obtain his goal. Yes, I'm being vague on purpose in case you choose to see this movie.

Bob Balaban (Catch-22, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and the Seinfeld series), Mandy Moore, Dianne Wiest (Parenthood, The Birdcage, and Practical Magic), and even Peter Bogdanovich are featured in very supportive roles. But, there are no real likeable characters in this story.

The story is a bit along the lines of "Mozart and the Whale" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". So, if you like those types of stories, you may enjoy this one too.

Watch this movie with an open mind and healthy dose of patience.