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The Extra Man

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France, United States · 2010
Rated R · 1h 48m
Director Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, Katie Holmes, John C. Reilly
Genre Comedy

Sensitive romantic Louis is forced to leave his job after an embarrassing incident. Aspiring to live the fanciful life of an F. Scott Fitzgerald protagonist, he moves to Manhattan and rents a room with Henry, a failed playwright and “extra man”. Henry takes Louis under his wing, teaching him the art of escorting wealthy older women to social events.

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What are critics saying?

70

Wall Street Journal by John Anderson

Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini show the same appreciation for eccentrics and humanity they brought to "American Splendor" and Mr. Dano's Louis is a delicately wrought wonder.

50

Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum

What feels enjoyably outré in the 1998 coming-of-age novel by Jonathan Ames (creator of HBO's Bored to Death) feels oppressively outré in this deadened, literal adaptation.

70

Village Voice by Melissa Anderson

Going below the surface, the filmmakers and the cast (including a marvelous performance by Marian Seldes as an osteoporotic doyenne) successfully create the hardest characters to pull off: exotic yet recognizable New Yorkers.

67

The A.V. Club by Noel Murray

The Extra Man is kooky to a fault, and Dano is a major drag, with his soft voice and blank expression. But Kline gives a wild, wonderful performance, reminiscent of his work on "A Fish Called Wanda."

50

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

Kline finds every nuance of mirth and melancholy in this wonder of a role and rides it to glory. You can't take your eyes off him.

25

Observer by Rex Reed

The film knocks itself unconscious trying to be whimsical and offbeat, but is so contrived that it is as embarrassing as it is unfunny.

70

Variety by Todd McCarthy

Although too devoted to matters literary, theatrical, operatic and sexually outre to make it with general audiences, this adaptation of Jonathan Ames' novel exudes the sort of smarts and sophisticated charm specialized audiences seek.

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