Calvin, a rather geeky 29 year old, wrote a
bestselling novel that some critics compared to 'Catcher in the Rye' when he was
just 19. Since then he’s had writer’s
block and the same lack of success with his love life too. He fills each of his days either on his
Shrink’s couch or out walking his dog Scotty (that the Therapist made him get I
think so he could catch a break from the self-ingratiating whinning).
Whilst out walking Scotty in the park one day he comes
across a beautiful redhead who is the girl of his dreams literally, as she is
in fact a figment of his imagination.
Encouraged by the Shrink, Calvin starts to write about her …. Ruby
Sparks ….and then one morning he wakes up and actually finds her in his house
making breakfast for him.
Calvin’s torn between being delirious happy and being
convinced that he is now gone completely mad.
When Harry his brother confirms that he can also see Ruby, he knows that
she is not an hallucination but a dream come true. Harry suggests that Calvin test out his theory
that he ‘created’ her on his typewriter by giving her character more quirks,
such as only speaking fluent French. He
does, and she does and all reality is now suspended.
Ruby comes complete with back history (courtesy of
Calvin), but when the relationship starts not going the way that Calvin would
like, he miss-uses his power by re-writing Ruby’s mood’s to suit him
better. But like in ‘the real world’
attempting to manipulate someone to love you, simply doesn't hold up in the
end.
The gently and ingenious wry and refreshing romantic
comedy is such a real treat. It’s both zany and witty and as it happens,
is also a labor of love. Written by a
delightful Zoe Kazan who also plays Ruby, and who is in fact the off screen
partner of her co-star Paul Dano who is pitch perfect as the nerdy Calvin. It’s also directed by Jonathan Dayton and
Valerie Farris the team behind the delectable 'Little Miss Sunshine', and one
other plus point, is the alluring Miss Annette Benning in a cute cameo as
Calvin’s hippy mother.
The whole concept of being able to just create exactly who you want
to share your bed and life with is very tempting especially when its very
cleverly executed here by these bright young things, but would you really want
it? Honestly?
P.S. Movia trivia : Ms Kazan is not just the granddaughter of the great Elia Kazan, but both of her parents have been nominated for Screenwriting Oscars.
★★★★★★★★
★★★★★★★★
