Film Review: Ruby Sparks

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. Written by: Zoe Kazan. Stars: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Chris Messina, Annette Benning, Antonio Banderas, Elliott Gould. Released: 2012

Have you ever read a book where you wished and desired that somehow, somewhere, a character was real? What if you had the power to write your dream girl or boy and they became real? Including the power through your writing to control that person? Would you want that power?

What if that perfect person wasn’t perfect for you?

That is what is so wonderfully explored in Ruby Sparks.

I didn’t expect to enjoy this film as much as I did. I guess I should have expected this since it is the same directing team that also brought us Little Miss Sunshine. It is not completely melodramatic or overly saccharine in that lovely combination of comedy and drama, known as the dramedy. You can guess fairly well where the film is going, but a turn or two is thrown your way to keep you engaged enough and caring about the characters and what is happening.

Another important aspect that helps to keep the viewer engaged is the acing and characterization. Yes, the socially awkward, geeky, skinny boy/man genius who falls for the quirky, free spirited, doe eyed, colourful dressing female has been done before, but the acting, the writing and the characterization; and perhaps even the real life relationship between Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan all come together to ground it in a realism that you may actually know these two people, along with the other characters.

It has the same tone and feel to the recent 500 Days of Summer, so if you liked that film, you most likely will also like Ruby Sparks.  The difference may be in that with 500 Days of Summer, it was more about a relationship and dealing with the end of the relationship. I have also heard arguments that Summer herself wasn’t exactly a likeable character, especially towards the end. With Ruby Sparks, the story is more about Calvin and his dealing with the past and his personal issues, including his own celebrity, in order to be able to move on to a healthy future, and the relationship with Ruby is a catalyst for that. Ruby herself, being a creation of Calvin’s is essentially a blank canvas.

Calvin, a writer who in his early 20’s was considered a genius,  and compared to the likes of J.D Salinger and F. Scott Fitzgerald after the release of his first novel. Despite a few short stories and novellas, he suffers from a 10 year drought of writers block as the public awaits his second novel.  Calvin is also suffering from personal issues that steam from his family and a previous relationship. 

Played by Paul Dano, he shows once again that he is a talented young actor with a great career ahead of him. Dano may not be the first actor that comes to producers and casting director’s minds when thinking of a romantic lead, but as mentioned, this is more than a romance. Dano plays Calvin with so much heart and a sense of honesty, even in his clueless or meaner moments; you can’t help but understand where his character is coming from and why he is doing it. You care and feel for him. This is highlighted the best in the climatic and emotional scene of a confrontation between Calvin and Ruby.

Zoe Kazan, who plays the perfect creation of Ruby Sparks (and who wrote the script) adds an edge and sense of realism to the quirky, free spirited, doe eyed, colourful dressing female. She feels like someone you may actually know. The character of Ruby goes through a gamut of emotions (she is essentially a literary character) and Zoe does it all with a sense of ease.

With a solid supporting cast that includes Elliott Gould who plays Calvin's therapist.  Annette Benning and Antonio Banderas as Calvin’s creative and hippie mother and step father. They may not be in the film for long, but Calivn’s issues with his parents and his past are made clear in the few scenes with them.

Even the sets and locations, such a Calvin’s house is done to make you feel that yes, this is a writers house. Along with a soundtrack that all works together.

If you are tired of superheroes and action films this summer and looking for solid and smart storytelling, acting and a movie that in the end makes you feel good, check out Ruby Sparks.