Film: Paper Man

By Ian Stark

Out of all the films on the schedule this year, a lot of locals are really looking to see this funny story involving a burnt-out writer and his imaginary friend - especially because much of the movie was shot on location in Montauk.

The backdrop is very key to the tale, as this is not the shiny, surfer-happy summer version of The End we see, but the cold, leafless November version most people up island never sample. It represents a desolate location, a place where stymied Richard writer (Jeff Daniels) is basically dropped to live by his steady surgeon spouse Claire (Lisa Kudrow) until he can clear his head. However, his mental status may be worse than just writer's block, as he spends quite a bit of time conversing with his imaginary friend-the same one he's maintained since childhood-Captain Excellent, played by Ryan Reynolds (who bravely wore spandex in this role while working next to the choppy fall Atlantic).

However, Richard's clinging to youth seem to prime him for a budding friendship with local teen Abby (Emma Stone) who you'll discover has issues of her own, including a physical relationship with a boy who could care less (Hunter Parrish). Daniels' character offers her a job babysitting at his place, and although there is no child to mind, she accepts the position anyway and hangs around. The two strike up a friendship-which certainly sounds inappropriate, and may indeed be-but either way somehow the man with maturity issues and the child who's growing up way too fast easily see eye to eye.

It's an unusual story, and where it goes is best to discover during a festival viewing, but even if the tale doesn't grab you at first, there is something very lovely about watching a film in a setting so familiar......you might be tempted to drive east down 27 to see if you can pick out the locations yourself.

Showtimes are Sat, Oct 10, 4:00 p.m. | Guild Hall, Sun, Oct 11, 6:00 p.m. | UA East Hampton Theater 1, Mon, Oct 12, 2:00 p.m. | Montauk Movie Theater

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