Tim Ladd

This film is simply fabulous. I heard Tucci interviewed ahead of release on Fresh Air. I rushed out to an "art house" theater that was playing it in Farmington Hills and just fell in love. I've seen it several times since then. It's not just a story of brothers trying to make it in a family business. It's a parable about art and artists. It's a story about passion and achievement, and about failure. I love how a tale about work can be so effortless and beautiful.

This is practically a hidden gem. Robert Downey Jr. is adorable as Crabtree. This is my favorite role for Michael Douglas. I love Frances MacDormand and the film could have stood to see more of her, but it's still a great script. Rip Torn was a beautiful choice for the pompous yet lovable novelist with far too many successes under his belt. Tripp wants to hate him but he can't. And neither can we. The plot moves along like a detective story, and in a way it is. We make a number of discoveries along the way. The fact that A. O. Scott didn't like it is icing on my cake.