Paper Man

In this character study about a man-child who finally outgrows his emotional crutches and comes to terms with adulthood, Jeff Daniels plays Richard, a New York author whose wife Claire (Lisa Kudrow) places him in an isolated Long Island house so he can overcome his writer's block. The change of locale isn't much help, since Richard isn't really alone—he's brought along the imaginary pal he's had since childhood, a spandex-clad, caped superhero called Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds). Ignoring his buddy's warnings, Richard goes into town, where he befriends teenage Abby (Emma Stone) and offers her a babysitting job—although there's no kid to sit. The bulk of the film is built around their effect on each other: she brings him out of his shell and he helps her break free of her abusive boyfriend. Paper Man awkwardly features the germ of an incisive March-September relationship here, although the script never develops it, while the “pretend friend” aspect of the plot is a particular weak point (especially since Reynolds seems ill at ease in the part), and a twist at the end concerning a boy (Kieran Culkin) who's infatuated with Abby is much too cute. Written and directed by husband-and-wife team Kieran and Michele Mulroney, Paper Man is a wafer-thin film that wants to explore some profound issues about growing up, but unfortunately seems to be a case of arrested development itself. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a “making-of” featurette (13 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)