Film review: Ruby Sparks: Charmer of a film

MANILA, Philippines - If you’re looking for an outright charmer of a film, one that relies on straightforward storytelling, go catch Ruby Sparks before its run ends.

No CGIs, no high-octane action sequences, no disaster premise! Rather, what we get is a wonderful film that’s part-love story, part-examination of the creative process as the protagonist is a once successful young novelist now suffering from writer’s block, and with subtle fantasy elements thrown in.

Directed by the team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris that gave us Little Miss Sunshine in 2007, Ruby Sparks stars Paul Dano as Calvin, the novelist, and Zoe Kazan, as Ruby, his literary creation come to life!

OK, while “literary creation comes to life” pretty much spills the beans on the film’s premise; it’s how they execute this, sustain the momentum, and turn it on its head with some darker moments, that makes the film such a winner. It’s been 10 years since Calvin made the best-seller lists, and when the film opens, he’s even relying on a mutt, Scotty, to help tether himself to life, so that he can produce that next novel.

When the character of Ruby comes to him in a dream, the creative spark is rekindled, and he’s off to the races, even getting his brother into the act as “work in progress critic.” The discovery of a ladies’ shaver in his medicine closet is the start of the second gear of the movie, a gear that really takes the film into minor masterpiece status. 

Paul and Zoe (who also wrote the screenplay) are perfect for the characters they portray. The support cast is excellent, with such stars as Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, and Elliot Gould surprisingly popping up. Chris Messina as Calvin’s brother is one potential scene-stealer, but I say potential, because in the end, it’s Calvin and Ruby that keep us riveted to the screen. I also loved the touch of utilizing French pop songs for the soundtrack.

While Little Miss Sunshine is an obvious peg for understanding the sensibility of this exemplary piece of filmmaking, if you liked such films as 500 Days of Summer, The Truman Show and Being John Malkovich, you’ll fall in love with Ruby Sparks, an American indie-type film that richly deserves an audience.