I thought it was only appropriate, on this December 25, to review a movie based loosely on the human belief and reliance on “God”.

In writer/director John Hindman’s film, The Answer Man, Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) supposedly has a deep connection with the higher power.  As author of the cultural phenomenon, Me and God, Arlen claims to have spoken to the big man himself – and jotted down the answers to life’s most difficult questions in his book for all to read.  Despite his fame, Arlen himself has managed to remain a complete secret for 20 years – hidden from the public eye, living alone in his large home, and only communicating with his feisty publisher, Terry (Nora Dunn).

A strange turn of events reluctantly reveals Arlen to a certain few individuals, and eventually exposes him to the world.  It all begins when, on the brink of a mental breakdown, he decides to sell all of his “useless” books to a local bookstore.  There he meets Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci), the store owner and a recovering alcoholic, and Dahlia (Kat Dennings), the bookstores quirky, lone employee.  After Arlen leaves his name-embroidered coat in the store, Kris sets out to find the answer man – to return the coat, and search for answers of his own.

A few days later, Arlen dramatically throws his back out and must crawl down the street to the chiropractor.  After his adjustment, he bravely gives his real name to the chiropractor, Elizabeth (played by Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls – love her!), and her assistant Anne (Olivia Thirlby). Once word spreads of the all-knowing answer man’s whereabouts, Arlen’s hermit lifestyle begins to spiral out of control.

Awkwardly and at times inappropriately, Arlen pursues Elizabeth, which soon creates a cute but complicated relationship.  All of the supporting characters fall perfectly in to place, relying on, but questioning, Arlen’s “words from God” along the way.

I’ll admit, the remainder of the film is a bit predictable.  But it’s thought provoking, heartbreaking, and funny just the same.

I was particularly drawn to the characters of this film, and I’m not sure why.  They weren’t unlike anything I have seen before, but they played their respective roles so well – a casting success, from the always hilarious Tony Hale (Buster from Arrested Development!), who plays Arlen’s nosy mailman, to newcomer child actor Max Antisell, who plays Elizabeth’s adorable son Alex.  And despite their small roles, Dennings and Thirlby are perfect – two of Hollywood’s most promising actresses.

The Answer Man loses a star for the subtle but all-too-common inference that a vegetarian lifestyle is nonsensical and overprotective, and that all veg food is disgusting (completely untrue!).   Otherwise, this is a light-hearted but very real depiction of life’s most difficult problems and questions, and the way in which humans choose to deal with them.  It’s about finding answers, not from other people or outside sources, but from deep within your own heart.  I highly recommend it.

Happy holidays!