Today’s Prayer Focus

The Answer Man

also known as “Arlen Faber,” “The Dream of the Romans”
MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for language.
Moral Rating: not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Romance Comedy
Length: 1 hr. 35 min.
Year of Release: 2009
USA Release: July 24, 2009 (limited—5 theaters in NY/LA/PA)
DVD: November 3, 2009
Copyright, Magnolia Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures Copyright, Magnolia Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Magnolia Pictures

What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

Wisdom

Truth

How can we know there’s a God? Answer

What if the cosmos is all that there is? Answer

If God made everything, who made God? Answer

How do we know the Bible is true? Answer

When we say that the Bible is the Word of God, does that imply that it is completely accurate, or does it contain insignificant inaccuracies in details of history and science? Answer

How can the Bible be infallible if it is written by fallible humans? Answer

Sex, Love & Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Discover biblical answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more.
Featuring 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), See all »
Director John Hindman
Producer Messick Films, iDeal Partners Film Fund, Rachel Cohen, Daniel Crown, Jana Edelbaum, Michael Lesser, Kevin J. Messick, Rebecca Rivo
Distributor Magnolia Pictures

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

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “Everyone wants to meet Arlen Faber, the world famous author of the best-selling spiritual book Me and God, but crotchety, disgruntled Arlen simply wants to be left alone—and so far he’s been successful in keeping his identity a secret. But all that changes when troubled bookstore owner Kris Lucas discovers his home address and barters books for Arlen’s words of wisdom, and a back injury leads the reclusive writer to begin dating chiropractor and overprotective single mother Elizabeth. As Arlen’s relationships with his newfound friends begin to grow, he must come to terms with his past and the realization that he doesn’t hold all the answers.

From first-time director John Hindman, comes ‘The Answer Man,’ a romantic comedy starring Jeff Daniels (“The Squid and the Whale”), Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) and Lou Taylor Pucci (“Thumbsucker”). Arlen Faber (Daniels) is the reclusive author of Me and God, a book that has redefined spirituality for an entire generation and has been translated into over 100 languages. On the eve of the 20th anniversary of his still wildly popular book, Arlen is still sought after as the man who has all the answers.

Arlen’s life collides with Elizabeth (Graham), a single mom raising her seven year-old son, and Kris (Taylor Pucci), a young man fresh out of rehab who is searching for meaning. Both Elizabeth and Kris are hopeful that Arlen has the answers, but the truth is, he hasn’t got a clue. The film also stars Kat Dennings (“Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”) and Olivia Thirlby (“Juno”).”

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See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


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Movie Critics
…a diverting dramedy of human and spiritual connection… Though his film is a tad choppy and a lot chatty, Hindman elicits sympathetic performances from leads who demonstrate a deep understanding of movie physics. … [3/4]
Carrie Rickey, The Philadelphia Inquirer
…The strong New Age worldview mixed with strong foul language makes this a movie that requires much discernment and strong caution. …
Movieguide
…Could have been awful, but Daniels sells it well…
David Wildman, The Boston Phoenix
…The movie offers scant plausibility of Faber having either the aura or personality to be such a successful self-help author,… the film’s exaggerated tone and sledgehammer style veers awkwardly between social satire and the comedy of cruelty. …
Patrick Z. McGavin, Screen International
…Amid the glib psychological disclosures, the movie offers bits of religious commentary, as when Arlen refers to fundamentalist interpretations of the book of Revelation as simply “a horror movie.” …The Answer Man’s philosophy owes more to Hollywood hokum than French existentialism. …
Mark Jenkins, National Public Radio
… I have one question for “The Answer Man”: How did you get made? …shopworn and utterly contrived romantic comedy… [1/4]…
Kyle Smith, New York Post