cinemoz.org

Movie: Answers to Nothing

• Director: Matthew Leutwyler
• Writers: Matthew Leutwyler (tale), Matthew Leutwyler
• Stars: Dane Cook, Elizabeth Mitchell and Julie Benz
• Release Date: December 2011
• Run Time: 124 min
• Genre: Drama, Mystery

redemption comes in pieces

Intertwining tales exploring the terrible in the best of us and the excellent in the worst of us. Against the surroundings of a outcome kidnap case we follow five days in the life of the single parent detective assigned to the case, her best friend whose determination to get pregnant keeps her from confronting her husband’s infidelity, a school teacher and his obsession with the missing outcome that pushes him to the edge of vigilantism, a beat cop grieving over the violent death of his wife, a recovering addict and her wheel chair bound brother preparing for the LA marathon, and a self-loathing African American TV writer’s quest for like.

Review: Answers to Nothing is that rare combination of an ensemble cast grappling with life’s complexities without descending into heavy handed storytelling. It both lifts you up and crushes you down as you recognize the various shades of yourself in the characters. I have been weary of ensemble dramas like this since the manipulative’Thump’, but I felt the director and cast did a superb job and the emotion really builds to something tangible and worthwhile. The singer Aja Volkman of ‘Nico Vega’provides an emotional charge right through the film and Mad Men actor Mark Kelly gives a fantastic turn as a gamer/High School teacher out for justice. Fantastic film – highly recommended.