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The Answer Man

Original title: Arlen Faber
  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
7.6K
YOUR RATING
Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham in The Answer Man (2009)
A reclusive author of spiritual books is pursued for advice by a single mother and a man fresh out of rehab.
Play trailer2:34
1 Video
18 Photos
ComedyRomance

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

  • Director
    • John Hindman
  • Writer
    • John Hindman
  • Stars
    • Jeff Daniels
    • Lauren Graham
    • Lou Taylor Pucci
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    7.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Hindman
    • Writer
      • John Hindman
    • Stars
      • Jeff Daniels
      • Lauren Graham
      • Lou Taylor Pucci
    • 41User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Answer Man
    Trailer 2:34
    The Answer Man

    Photos18

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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Jeff Daniels
    Jeff Daniels
    • Arlen Faber
    Lauren Graham
    Lauren Graham
    • Elizabeth
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    • Kris Lucas
    Olivia Thirlby
    Olivia Thirlby
    • Anne
    Kat Dennings
    Kat Dennings
    • Dahlia
    Nora Dunn
    Nora Dunn
    • Terry Fraser
    Tony Hale
    Tony Hale
    • Mailman
    Annie Corley
    Annie Corley
    • Mrs. Gold
    Max Antisell
    • Alex
    Thomas Roy
    • Riley Lucas
    Peter Patrikios
    Peter Patrikios
    • Ross
    Greg Wood
    • Businessman #1
    Richard Lyntton
    Richard Lyntton
    • Journalist
    Richard Barlow
    • Paul
    Sally Mercer
    • Customer
    Lauren Emily Jacobs
    Lauren Emily Jacobs
    • Young Girl
    • (as Lauren Jacobs)
    David Mulholland
    • Male Customer
    Charles J. Corrado Jr.
    • Roy
    • (as Chalie Corrado)
    • Director
      • John Hindman
    • Writer
      • John Hindman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    6.47.5K
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    Featured reviews

    7copperncherrio

    Enjoyable and thoughtful

    This film follows the mystery man who wrote the most popular book of all time, answers that he has for God and the answer to them. He stays in recluse and is infuriated by his search for true spirituality, and in lieu of searching for the solution for his back issues he is entranced by a woman who hasn't heard of him.

    The follows three people in their life and how they come to effect one another and while romance.

    Movie with some very thoughtful, quirky quotes ever.

    Enjoyable and thoughtful this is one of my favorite movies with Jeff Daniels, or at least my introduction to the brilliance of Jeff Daniels.
    8blanbrn

    Interesting. Proving that no matter how much you think you don't have all the answers be yourself and learn life as you go.

    Call it what you want "The Answer Man" or "Arlen Faber" this is an interesting drama that's blended with fun and drama that teaches us a little about life proving that everyone should grow. Jeff Daniels is Arlen Faber an author who had a highly successful book series that branched off from his best seller "Me and God" an inspirational book that influenced many. And now on the 20th anniversary many feel Arlen is the man with the answers. Only as fate would have it his back goes out, leading him to a visit to chiropractic care. Upon the visit his care taker is Elizabeth(the beautiful and attractive Lauren Graham)who's a single mom from San Francisco just moved to Philadelphia and she's also raising her seven year old son and this little boy is searching for meaning.

    Along the way an interesting subplot occurs as Arlen's life also intersects with Kris(Lou Taylor)a young man out of alcohol rehab searching for meaning when he goes back to his book store as Arlen often supplies him books for Kris's questions! You see that too Arlen is full of himself and lonely as this grown man even collects monster movie action figures! Only little by little he discovers some attraction to Elizabeth as the two date even though it seems awkward. As Both Elizabeth and Kris hope Arlen has answers and it's clear he doesn't.

    It shows that no matter how knowledgeable that one appears they don't know it all and no one has all the answers. It does one good to be normal and get out of their shell just as Arlen sees in the end it's clear you learn life as you go and everyone is different. Overall good film that touches and it proves good lesson points of life. And it's good to see Lauren Graham at work again.
    8Ed-Shullivan

    Nobody's perfect but if we listen to each other the world would be a much better place

    Alen Farber (Jeff Daniels) is a financially successful author of a twenty (20) year old renowned spiritual book titled "God and Me" but his personal life is in shambles to which we won't discover the reason why until near the end of the film. As both he and his life both seem to be miserable the only person he wants to interact with and even then begrudgingly and only out of necessity is his agent Terry Fraser (Nora Dunn).

    Arlen eventually ends up allowing two new people into his personal space.

    One of the two people he becomes attached to is a personable chiropractor named Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) who is raising her young shy son as a single parent. The other person who gradually wins Arlen's trust is a local book store owner named Kris Lucas (Lou Taylor Pucci).

    All three main characters have troubles but if we as the audience cannot recognize even one of these characters flaws in our own personal lives than kudos to you for living the perfect life.

    This is a warm and feel good film with a relatively happy ending and this is the type of film that Mrs. Shullivan and I enjoy most. A film we can relate to with real people who experience real life challenges/problems who eventually help each other live a fuller life in a happier world.

    I give it a much appreciated 8 out of 10 IMDb score.
    8tabuno

    An Insightfully and Distinctively Different Light Drama

    Jeff Daniels stars in this light drama about a man who purportedly talked to God and wrote a bestselling book 20 years ago. Now both he, a chiropractor with her son, and a young man all of whom are experiencing challenges in their lives meet to face their own inner ghosts. The Answer Man is a refreshing, creative and distinctly different drama that nevertheless ends on a rather non-mainstream, non-rom-com note that either reflects a more authentic examination of life or a slightly jarring diversion from popular expectations.
    7SauliusZ

    A welcome relief from the mainstream Hollywood movies

    A little bit of comedy, a little bit of romance, some soul searching, but not a romantic comedy or "romcom" by any means. Enjoyable to watch for over 25's, I guess.

    Would be a great movie, but the story needed a lot of developing. Director and screenplay author John Hindman takes a love story and tries to include some points on "meaning of life" and "how to live your live", and a few laughs, too, just a right amount for general public. Could be a great movie, but whoever cut it, made it "too accessible" for everybody, if you know what I mean. 'Artsy-fartsy' types would tear this movie to pieces, that's for sure.

    Actors did a good job, Jeff Daniels in particular. So go and watch the movie, especially if you are on a date. No uncomfortable moments, and a bit of a laugh for both sexes. Love story helps, too.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The story Arlen tells is very similar to Neal Donald Walsch in Conversations with God.
    • Goofs
      After Arlen puts the 45 record on, he jostles the stereo when he has his first back spasm. The needle clearly bounces off of the record but the music continues playing. After he falls to the floor, a close up of the record still playing is shown.
    • Quotes

      Kris Lucas: Why can't I do the things I want to do? There's so much I know I'm capable of that I never actually do. Why is that?

      Arlen Faber: The trick is to realize that you're always doing what you want to do... always. Nobody's making you do anything. Once you get that, you see that you're free and that life is really just a series of choices. Nothing happens to you. You choose.

    • Connections
      Featured in Charlie Rose: Episode dated 15 May 2009 (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Mr. Pitiful
      Written and Performed by Matt Costa

      Courtesy of Brushfire Records/Universal Records

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Answer Man?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 30, 2009 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Dream of the Romans
    • Filming locations
      • Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
    • Production companies
      • 120dB Films
      • Messick Films
      • iDeal Partners Film Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $26,676
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,998
      • Jul 26, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $26,676
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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