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The Extra Man Stars: Paul Dano, Kevin Klein, John C. Reilly, Katie Holmes, Celia Weston and Marian Seldes Directors: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini Scriptwriters: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini and Jonathan Ames (based on Ames’ book) Magnolia Films Rating: R for some sexual content Running Length: 106 minutes Kevin Kline is the type of actor that can go over the top. He eats the scenery in The Extra Man as an escort for elderly women. This isn’t the top line of escort service, rather, it is the at-the-end-of-the-line service and a lesson into getting into the opera without tickets. Humor is provided by the unexpected and at times, is forced. The film begins with a sepia tone as a young man, Louis (Paul Dano) contemplates what life would have been line at the time of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Louis is shy, tall, gangly, and looks like Icabod Crane. He decides to go to New York City to “find himself” and eventually ends up with a job in marketing and renting part of an apartment from Henry (Kevin Kline) a playwright with eccentricities, a fondness for opera, anything you can get free and a collector of Christmas balls. Henry’s neighbor is the bearded Gershon (John C. Reilly) and Louis likes Mary (Katie Holmes who seems uncomfortable in the role) at his office. The women Henry and Louis escort are rich, sarcastic and well-played by Celia Weston as Meredith and Marian Seldes as Vivian. Louis begins to really like older women (reference: Manhattan’s Hottest Granny Bar). Henry has problems with an ex-roommate, Otto, whose mail he places in the freezer. Louis tries to date Mary, but she thinks of him as a friend. Gershon and Henry aren’t speaking, though they help each other out. Cars are of the 25-year-old variety with nine miles to the gallon, and dining with the ladies is a study in chivalry and etiquette. The Extra Man comes from a comment made in the film about women outliving men and an extra man is always needed. This film gives us life, not in the fast lane, but a lane off to the side and by itself. Here are people with nowhere to go and make up situations to substitute for real life. Henry’s eccentricities are forced, Louis can’t ask a girl for a date, Gershon harbors resentment and yet they meander on down the same road in old cars and a bicycle. Henry paints his ankles black when he doesn’t have black socks to wear to a restaurant and his cure for a bad back---sun, vermouth and codeine. The women, Celia Weston and Marian Seldes steal their scenes with wit and raised eyebrows. I was disappointed in The Extra Man. Here is a movie rich with talent---Kline, Dano, Reilly, Seldes and Weston---yet the men’s acting seems forced while the ladies are natural. In some scenes, the old cars and views of the city at night, steal from the performers. Louis goes to New York City to find himself, but the ambience of this large metropolis seems to cover him like a patchwork quilt. Even at 106 minutes, the film seems long. 
Copyright 2010 Marie Asner
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