The Extra Man

In filmmaker Shari Springer Berman's quirky comedy, Paul Dano stars as shy, gangly Louis, a teacher with a penchant for cross-dressing, who's dismissed after he's caught impetuously trying on a bra, after which he takes the opportunity to head for NYC to become a writer. Louis rents a room from Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline), a flamboyant, imperious, opinionated man whose floridly cultured ways makes him a favorite escort among wealthy local dowagers. Before long, Louis becomes Henry's protégé, although he must keep his cross-dressing obsession a secret, given Henry's very strict standards of conduct (for others, at least). The pleasure of The Extra Man lies in watching Kline and Dano doing the thespian equivalent of a graceful soft-shoe routine. Unfortunately, Henry's haughty harangues boast surprisingly little real wit; Louis is saddled with a misguided subplot in which he surreptitiously fulfills his cross-dressing dreams; and John C. Reilly is wasted as the duo's bearded neighbor, who speaks in a high-pitched voice that becomes normal when he sings (just like Gomer Pyle!). Ultimately, this is a movie that lays on the eccentricity too thick and winds up feeling affected. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (the first with star Kevin Kline and author Jonathan Ames; the second with co-director Shari Springer Berman, co-director Robert Pulcini, journalist Lisa Collins, production designer Judy Becker, and costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb), behind-the-scenes footage (9 min.), an HDNet production featurette (5 min.), a deleted scene (2 min.), a brief cartoon clip voiceover recording session, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)