"RUBY SPARKS"

I was recently put on the SAG nominating committee - a random choice, I assume - which allows me to vote on selected films.  I missed a couple while I was in New York, but went last night to see Ruby Sparks at the Linwood Theatre on Vine, which is inside the Motion Picture Academy.  It's kind of hallowed ground.  Lovely theatre.

Ruby Sparks is a dramedy about young novelist Calvin Weirsfield (Paul Dano) who is surprised to find that a character he has created for his new book has come to life.  Dano, a strong actor with over a dozen films to his credit, is known for playing some fairly strange characters: the silent brother in Little Miss Sunshine, the weird preacher (and his twin) in There Will Be Blood, and the science prodigy in Knight and Day.  He continues down the same path with another strong performance.

Zoe Kazan plays the title role in the film, for  which she wrote the screenplay.  Elia Kazan's granddaughter adds luster the family name and clearly has along future in the biz.

The supporting cast is all pro all the time: Chris Messina turns in an especially endearing performance as Calvin's brother; Annette Benning has made a seamless transition into middle age as she plays Calvin's hippie mother in Big Sur; Antonio Banderas is charming as Bennings' second husband; and Elliott Gould is delightful as Calvin's therapist.

The movie rocks back and forth - a little screwball comedy here, a little psycho-drama there, but it's well worth the popcorn.