Performances are low-key but likeable. Shannon plays Shriver as a loner who finds it difficult to engage with life. He barely speaks above a mumble or walks faster than a shuffle, yet his mind is sharply observant. Everyone is drawn to Shriver due to his writing genius, so they take everything he says as high art. The supporting cast members kind of drift around his orbit, adding intriguing wrinkles to the story. Standouts are Randolph and King as writers who are adoring and dismissive, respectively. Johnson has fun with his scruffy role, and as the romcom lead Hudson is oddly sidelined but still charming.

As the narrative gets increasingly tangled, the film's pace stutters and stalls. Even with a few twists and turns, there's not much momentum. But in its own way, the film finds some subtly knowing things to say about the worlds of academia and publishing. And the odd mix of broad and understated characters and situations is offbeat enough to keep us hoping that there might be a surprise or two along the way.

themes, language

2.Mar.23

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