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Most writers receive early praise in their careers. Some even more talented ones never get their due because their work is not commercially satisfactory. In fact, it could be said that fame eludes a lot of brilliant authors who, as in the case of Leonard Schiller, must resort to a life of teaching in a university. Schiller has only produced 4 novels, 2 of which sadly never got published. Others were out of print & the other new 1 might fall into obscurity. It's at this juncture of Leonard's life that a change occurs. When the eager young Heather Wolfe (Lauren Ambrose), who wants to base her thesis on his books, comes to visit to ask if it could be possible to enlist him to help her with her paper. Schiller feels flattered & repulsed at the same time. He is a private man who has shunned notoriety & wants to stay that way, but ends up in going along with her plans. Leonard, a widower, has a daughter, Ariel (Lili Taylor), a woman in her early 40s who believes her biological clock is running out of time if she is to have a baby. She had wanted to have a child with Casey (Arian Lester), who doesn't cherish the thought of fatherhood and had broken with her. When he reappears, they renew their relationship with mixed results because Casey can't commit. This disparity is pointed out to Ariel by her father, who feels she is not getting her due. Heather, we see moving closer and closer to Leonard. It appears inevitable they are headed for an involvement, one that he feels is more than what he wanted to get, especially with a woman way too young for him. The intensity of the feeling she provokes in him, surprises Schiller, who is in ill health, but he gives way to his fears jumping into an affair which will prove will not benefit either one of them. There is no reason that you would smirk at seeing such a charming film about an older man having the time of his life trying to hold off his feelings about a female novel lover that has taken her time to study a man that could very well have been her grandfather. The film took much time to create a completely believable character with Langella. This film was so utterly believable that it didn't matter what time of year or season you watched it. He never relinquished his demeanor nor let others know how he really felt inside. Langella hid behind many things in this film, including his love for his life long love of years passed. There was no way that you could even imagine that this man couldn't have cared for this beautiful woman that was probably younger than his daughter who he loved and cared for dearly. Frank's character would always seem to obfuscate his feelings toward his daughter's bad relationship; always making her feel that she was not living the life that she always wanted, yet he, himself, hid his inner feelings towards his girlfriend who insisted that he allow her to read all the works he had not yet published. Friction in this film flies, when he never let his inner feelings get in the way of his schedule. It's always a miracle when 2 people or more connect and have subtle longing to make others feel wanted. Although Frank never let his emotions get the best of him, you could almost bet and pray that Frank would create a newness in his heart for those that really cared for him. His morals and ethics seemed to get the very best of him, which, in my opinion was a shame, for he was obviously designed to love and be loved, although, I was truly convinced that he had already give up.Read full review
This movie has a couple of elements that usually gall me: 1.)the noble widower 2.)having a romance with a fermale decades his junior. But at least they show these as compromised, difficult and unlikely, ultimately untenable. But [SPOILER] then I listened to the director's comments and realized I'd overestimated him: his two fav scenes, and the reasons for making this movie, were "the honey scene and the slap scene." Oh Great: the women provides the "honey" and the old Gent whacks her. Sweet. The reason I bought it? Because I LOVE to read and this one is about writing, critiques of writers, literary education and its culture: all to rare in this ADHD media-induced world.
The star of this movie, Frank Langella, shows just how insulated eccentric writers can be from the real world (think J.D. Salinger). Langella gives an excellent performance as a man who is drawn out of his comfort zone by a college-age master's degree candidate (played by Lauren Ambrose--Claire from Six Feet Under). But Ambrose cannot keep him from sinking back into his comfort zone; ultimately, her romance with him fades. Interesting to watch this twist on the older man/younger woman scenario. I bought this movie because I like just about everything Langella has done. This movie shows just how versatile he is.
This "little" film is a small gem, highlighted by Frank Langella's performance as writer/ teacher Leonard Schiller. As a man who feels he's outlived his usefulness, he's the quiet center of a film about family,'aging and art. Lauren Ambrose also shines as Schiller's young admirer. A rewarding film on several levels!
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