‘The Answer Man’

Unlike the many other movies highlighting the difficult lives of the high and mighty stars and politicians of our time, Jeff Daniels’ and Lauren Graham’s movie, “The Answer Man,” recently released on DVD, explores the subject on a deeper and slightly more disturbing level.
Jeff Daniels plays Arlen Faber, the man who knows everything about God. After writing the biggest religious bestseller and cornering 10 percent of the religious book market, he’s one of the most beloved — and elusive — authors of modern times.
Bitter, frustrated and definitely not a people person, he hides from the world, fearful that if people somehow get close to him, they will find out it’s all a lie: he doesn’t really know everything.
Lauren Graham is Elizabeth Danson, a young chiropractor opening her own practice. As a single mom, she’s under tremendous pressure to succeed for the sake of her son. Understandably a worrier, she struggles to find a means of balance in her personal life as she provides kindness and stability for others.
One of the most interesting aspects of “The Answer Man” is the way all the supporting characters are included to show the personalities of Arlen and Elizabeth. One such character, a recovering alcoholic named Kris, brings out the best and the worst of the pair.
Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci) is the typical movie character interpretation of a guy with problems. When he first meets Arlen, the two clash, demonstrating the horrific extent of Arlen’s behavior. But, as they interact more and more, Arlen improves, realizing that he does appreciate others’ friendship.
With Elizabeth, Kris can open up. She possesses that certain quality that allows people to relax and to feel better, a natural mom’s gift.
Elizabeth also forces Arlen to take a good look at himself and how he treats other people by showing him that people can accept who you truly are.
Arlen, in turn, gives Elizabeth some assurance that what she is doing with her life is right and that she can relax. Through his terrific insight into others’ problems and answers that just make sense, his relationships with everyone he meets could be much better, if only he would let them.
“The Answer Man” is one of the few movies that I have seen in a long time that actually made me laugh and cringe with appreciation. Jeff Daniels plays his bitter, unfriendly character to a tee, managing to make Arlen Faber a likable mess.
For me, his performance was the best part of the movie, as his transformation was realistic, unlike so many movies today. Other similar films — such as “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts — portray celebrities as troubled, but often create a dreamlike tone, as if falling in love with a superstar doesn’t also involve pain on some levels.
But “The Answer Man” does. The film highlights the struggles of Arlen and Elizabeth and makes them realistic. Despite a slightly overused plot line, “The Answer Man” is one of the most refreshing movies I have seen in a long time.

— Georgia Gempler is a sophomore at Davis High School and a member of the Herald-Republic’s Unleashed journalism program for students.