Ruby Sparks
2012
***½
Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Cast: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Steve Coogan, Elliott Gould, Chris Messina
Calvin Weir-Fields, whose debut was a hit, is an introverted young novelist who finally rediscovers his creative mojo when he begins to write about Ruby, the woman of his dreams. One morning he finds her downstairs in the flesh and learns that he can define her personality with his typewriter. Zoe Kazan, who gives a lovely performance as Ruby, also scripted this likeable romantic dramedy, which is like a cross between Stranger than Fiction and Woody Allen's more fantastical output. The premise feels odd and flimsy at first, and the narrative takes its time to get going, but the film ultimately offers a nice mix of light comedy (Calvin testing what his text can do) and unsettling drama (Calvin trying to shape Ruby into an ideal woman).
