Paper Man

Jeff Daniels plays Richard Dunn an author who has a serious case of writer's block so his wife Claire (Lisa Kudrow) takes him out to Long Island to a house in the country so he can write his next novel. Claire then leaves (she's a surgeon in the city-New York?) and will be back on the weekend. Richard is alone except for his imaginary friend and superhero, Captain Excellent (a frosted haired Ryan Reynolds). He finds he doesn't like the couch in the living room and when he sits down at the typewriter he can't even come up the main character's first name (an continually amusing running gag in the movie). So he finds a bike that's maybe two sizes too small for him and goes into town where he meets Abby (Emma Stone). The unlikely duo strike up a relationship much to the chagrin of her friend Christopher (Kieran Culkin who, now in this movie and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World deserves to be noticed, and let's not forget Lymelife and Igby Goes Down also). Later we the viewer that Richard is a guy who has a hard time with responsibility and is kind of misunderstood while Abby is dealing with some serious issues involving a family member. It is these flaws in their character that brings the two together in a friendship. It is Jeff Daniels who is top billed in this movie (and he does put in another amazing performance of a flawed man much like last year's The Answer Man, another fine movie) as well he should considering his resume but it is Emma Stone who you the viewer won't be able to take your eyes off of her. She hits every note and nuance of her character out of the park. You feel everything she is going through with Abby. We are seeing her literally advance so quickly in her acting ability it is a joy to see. With Easy A and now Paper Man, I can't even imagine what she will bring to her future characters in years to come. I know one thing though, it will be marvelous. She is a star blossoming right before our eyes. Please see this movie for great performances, a great script, and especially for miss Stone.