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Dedication

That's what it takes to make it through this self-consciously dark romantic comedy

By Geoff Berkshire

August 24, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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Cynical children’s book writer Henry Roth (Billy Crudup) has only one friend: his illustrator (Tom Wilkinson). When circumstances force Henry to work with a bright, pretty, relatively well-adjusted young woman (Mandy Moore) he totally freaks, especially when he develops feelings for her.

Big question: Can this Sundance-approved story of a depressed man finding love with a beautiful younger woman set to the sounds of a hipster indie rock soundtrack turn actor Justin Theroux (“Mulholland Dr.”) into a successful director? Well, it worked for Zach Braff, right?

Skip it: Although mercifully lacking the narcissism and film-student-flash of “Garden State,” Theroux’s movie won’t duplicate that flick’s minor success. Henry’s socially incompetent behavior—he doesn’t miss a chance to cruelly belittle anyone who comes his way—wears thin fast and turns downright uncomfortable. That makes it a challenge to stay interested in the central relationship, which develops in a too-predictable fashion to reward the effort.

Catch it: Moore does a decent job of shaking off her perky persona, but the only reason to sample “Dedication” is to marvel at Crudup’s continued selection of offbeat roles. He may not have a movie star profile yet, but he has the instinct and skills of a great actor.

Bottom line: Too dark to qualify as a fluffy romance. Too fluffy to appeal to anyone looking for a serious take on relationships.

Bonus: Henry’s line “my best is at best depressing” perfectly sums up the entire movie.

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