Purportedly a romantic comedy about a dyspeptic writer of children's books and the perky new illustrator foisted on him after his longtime collaborator's death, actor Justin Theroux's directing debut features a strong cast that flounders in profoundly unappealing material.
That writer Henry Roth (Billy Crudup) and artist Rudy Holt (Tom Wilkinson) have made a living producing children's books is more than a little difficult to believe. The middle-aged Rudy is gruffly amiable enough, although he is prone to looking for inspiration in vintage porn films — hence the pair's franchise hit, "Marty the Beaver." But Henry is a miserable, neurotic misanthrope, em...
Released:
2007
Rated:
R
Length:
111 mins