The Answer Man

R

Released Jul 24, 2009

1 hr. 36 min.

Romance

Comedy

List

32%

47 Reviews

Tomatometer

42%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Twenty years ago, Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) wrote a book about spirituality that became wildly popular. These days, he's a curmudgeonly recluse who only enjoys the company of his chiropractor, Elizabeth (Lauren Graham). As Elizabeth's warmth starts to melt Arlen's cold heart, he comes to realize what love really means.

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Critics Consensus

The Answer Man takes an interesting premise and overloads it with implausible scenarios, indie comedy cliches, and an all-too-familiar story arc that only occasionally benefits from its typically capable actors.

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Steve D

I didn't want to spend time with any of these characters.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Carmelita W

I enjoyed it : ) Huge fan of Jeff Daniels. Is it a perfect script - no. But here's the thing- I appreciate the honesty - raw real people. We need that - in addition to the sanitary dialogue in scripts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The theme and the acting are around a B/B-, but the philosophies are quite inspired. For that reason alone, this movie is worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tip toed the line of hallmark movie the whole time but never crossed over . Not really much comedy and Jeff Daniels was nice 2.5 . Still kinda cheesy but not bad

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/21

Full Review

Audience Member

A bit more clever than the usual mature rom com.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is under appreciated. Even though it's a romcom, it is insightful and heartwarming. Its several, not overpowering, gems of wisdom about life and kids are practical yet very insightful. Jeff Daniels is wonderful as always. I liked the other actors too. I also loved the music and how it enhanced the scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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John Hindman

Director

Jeff Daniels

Arlen Faber

Lauren Graham

Elizabeth

Lou Taylor Pucci

Kris Lucas

Olivia Thirlby

Anne

Kat Dennings

Dahlia

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5%

30%

Miss March

67%

52%

Youth in Revolt

TRAILER

for Youth in Revolt

35%

34%

Gigantic

59%

60%

It's Complicated

64%

57%

(Untitled)

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Alissa Wilkinson

Paste Magazine

The Answer Man is reaching for something but never quite grasps it.

Rated: 6/10

Apr 12, 2016

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

What begins as a genuinely humorous dark comedy gradually falters as seriousness takes over.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

The sleeper hit of the summer, THE ANSWER MAN is the answer for some movie magic!

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

David Harris

Spectrum Culture

A romantic comedy that is more or less a poor facsimile of the plot of As Good as it Gets.

Rated: 1.5/5

Oct 10, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Twenty years ago, Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) wrote a book about spirituality that became wildly popular. These days, he's a curmudgeonly recluse who only enjoys the company of his chiropractor, Elizabeth (Lauren Graham). As Elizabeth's warmth starts to melt Arlen's cold heart, he comes to realize what love really means.

Director: John Hindman
Executive Producer: Stephen Hays, Peter Graham, Michael Lesser
Screenwriter: John Hindman
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: 120dB Films
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.6K

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