Arlen Faber (2009)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

John Hindman

Writer:

John Hindman (screenplay)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

He wrote the book on life's big questions. But the truth is he hasn't got a clue.

Plot:

A reclusive author of spiritual books, is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab.

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jeff Daniels	...	Arlen Faber
Lauren Graham	...	Elizabeth
Lou Taylor Pucci	...	Kris Lucas
Olivia Thirlby	...	Anne
Kat Dennings	...	Dahlia
Nora Dunn	...	Terry Fraser
Tony Hale	...	Mailman
Annie Corley	...	Mrs. Gold
Max Antisell	...	Alex
Thomas Roy	...	Riley Lucas
Peter Patrikios	...	Ross
Greg Wood	...	Businessman #1
Richard G. Lyntton	...	Journalist
Richard Barlow	...	Paul
Sally Mercer	...	Customer

Also Known As:

The Answer Man (USA) (new title)
The Dream of the Romans (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

USA:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Messick Films

Goofs:

Factual errors: At the beginning they show all the covers of the book "Me and God" in different languages. One of them reads "Me y Dios", supposedly Spanish. That title has two errors. First, it should say "Yo y Dios", because "Me y Dios" makes no sense. Second, in Spanish is incorrect to say "Yo y Dios" you must say "Dios y yo" because the first person singular always goes at the end. For instance: "Yo y Maria" (me and Maria) is wrong, "Maria y yo" (Maria and me), it's correct.

Quotes:

Alex: My mom says that meat is poisonous and can kill you.
Arlen Faber: And if that's not the best hamburger you've ever had, I will change my name to Denise and walk into the sea.

Well done but yet medium rare

This film is a good all around romantic dramedy. All the characters in the story become interconnected and realize that as much as their problems are personal they need the company of others to help them through life. The idea that "you are your own worst enemy" is thematic here and the quirky lifestyles of these Philly dwellers help ease the tension in what could be very uncomfortable dramatic scenes. Its been hard to find a romantic comedy that stays away from sex and the city like characters or tween indie pastel colored cult movies. Arlen Faber offers us a tasteful unpretentious refreshing and funny kick back film. And for the record this movie wasn't overly godly, something that I was afraid of when choosing what to see at Sundance. The religious themes are pretty minimal and I don't leave the theater thinking that I need to rethink my relationship with God or religion.