Ruby Sparks

9.2

The idealized version of women in film has changed over the years. The quirky, lovable "indie heartthrob" first seen in films such as Annie Hall seems to have risen to prominence again, becoming the go-to movie crush of the 2000's. She is most recently seen in films including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, (500) Days of Summer and this year's Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. These female characters all have various degrees of believability yet are all lovable in their own right. Initially, the title character of Ruby Sparks looks to be another carbon copy. But she sets herself apart from these women by actually feeling like a real person...who's a character. She is just quirky enough to be instantly lovable but never gets pigeon-holed into a new wave cutout. In other words, she doesn't need to talk about The Smiths or vinyl records for any of the target audience to fall for her.

The fascinating meta-level discussion of creator vs. created is dealt with perfectly here. Big ideas involving creativity and reality fall second to the character-driven love story which, once it takes hold, never lets up. This love story is about as different as they come. Even after knowing the set-up or seeing the trailer, things play out differently than you'd expect. The script is air-tight and the pacing keeps things moving evenly. When the audience's "what ifs" surrounding the premise unexpectedly come into play, they do so in the most interesting way possible, completely driven by the emotions of the characters.

Like Little Miss Sunshine, the passion for this project oozes off the screen in every scene. This cannot only be attributed to directing team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris but also Ruby Sparks herself. Zoe Kazan, the actress who plays Ruby wrote the screenplay and is also dating leading man Paul Dano. If that isn't meta, I don't know what is. It explains the electric on-screen energy between the two. At their best, they give Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet a solid run for their money. 

Paul Dano has more than proven himself in the past and really brings a one-of-a-kind neurotic energy as Calvin that catches the viewer's eye. He commands the screen effortlessly, creating a multi-layered character who's flaws make him instantly relatable. Annette Benning and Antonio Bandaras make all-too-brief cameos as Calvin's parents. Chris Messina plays Calvin's brother, a role that is thankfully not as neglected, allowing him to shine in a fantastic supporting role along side Dano. The filmmakers seem to be back in their comfort zone once this family is brought together. Like Sunshine, so much is painfully left unsaid between these characters, it is realistic and heart-breaking. Sadly, the film all but leaves these characters behind to re-focus on the primary conflict between Calvin and Ruby.

All in all,  my expectations were shattered and, so far, this is not only the best romance but also one of the best films of the year.