Review
The unique Zoe Kazan wrote and stars in this quirky fascinating and original film about a writer with writer's block (Paul Dano Kazan's reallife main squeeze) who invents the girl of his dreams writes about her and watches her become real.
While this film has been billed by reviewers and marketed by publicists as a "romantic comedy" in many ways it's not. It's both more and less. Less predictable certainly as the endings of modern romantic comedies are notoriously pat. More ... what Strange Edgy Depressing even (at times) Maybe all of the above. But ultimately upbeat.
The gifted Paul Dano has created a character a young woman who is exactly who he wants or at least so he thinks. It's not until he meets his ex at a party 23 of the way through the movie that the audience really begins to understand what's going on. And it's not just hearts and flowers. But no spoilers here.
That Kazan pulled off both this original idea AND the ability to end it in a way that made sense yet left unanswered questions that should be unanswered is testimony to her screenwriting talents. Her roots here are strong both of her screen writing parents and her famed grandfather Elia. But Zoe is also extremely appealing as the film's title character showing a range of acting skills that could make her a star.
And for fun we get Bening Banderas and Gould all enlivening the proceedings.
Original movies are hard to find and when you find them often hard to watch. This film is both original and very watchable.