Early Viewing of Ruby Sparks

By rsilver on August 11, 2012

After gaining free tickets to an early release through the website gofobo.com, I was finally able to see Ruby Sparks.  Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Faris are the successful couple that launched many rock bands into stardom, but are primarily known for directing Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and now Ruby Sparks together. Zoe Kazan wrote and starred in the quirky/bizarre new romantic comedy alongside Paul Dano (previous Little Miss Sunshine actor; boyfriend in real life). While viewing the previews, I was dubious as to how the plot would hold up; overall it had many funny moments, but the ending was upsetting.

The movie begins with the depressing and mundane life of Calvin (Dano), a young novelist who previously achieved literary stardom but now suffers from writer’s block. His daily life includes meeting with his therapist, sitting at his typewriter frustrated, and exercising with his only friend and brother. Calvin has such a serious fear of rejection that he fears people will reject his dog for peeing like a female. His psychiatrist advises him to write just one page about someone meeting his dog. That night he dreams that a beautiful and creative red-head meets his dog and does not mind if it pees in a non-masculine way. He wakes up and excitedly begins writing on his Olympia typewriter.

Throughout the movie the characters flesh out all the emotions that occur in a tumultuous relationship and viewers realize that Calvin is not the ideal mate. Calvin first swears to his brother that he will never write about Ruby again because he does not want to manipulate her. As Ruby starts expressing that she feels smothered by Calvin and wants to spend time away from home, he panics and writes that Ruby is miserable without Calvin, so she comes home frantic. He realized that this was a mistake and types that Ruby is very happy, but then she starts acting crazily, which is also displeasing to him. Basically Calvin tries to be the best boyfriend possible and play god at the same time, obviously to his own downfall when he realizes people need to have a free will.

In the middle of the movie a scene happens that really sheds light into Calvin’s true personality; he is at a party, ignoring Ruby, and bumps into his ex-girlfriend. In the beginning of the movie we learn that she broke up with him after five years, soon after his father passed away, therefore the audience feels sorrow for him. During their confrontation the audience finds out that there is a whole other side to their relationship, in which Calvin was not supportive of her throughout the relationship and was also controlling. Through the ups and downs of this epiphany, Calvin realizes that Ruby is not a puppet to play with, but unfortunately he realized this far too late.

Many people will like this happy Hollywood ending, although they should not. By the end of the movie Calvin is not an admirable character and still has some growing up to do before he should embark on a relationship. If viewers enjoyed 500 Days of Summer or Little Miss Sunshine, they will probably find this movie pleasing and endearing. Overall, I would rate it 4/5 stars because it was a very creative and humorous film.

Image credit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1839492/

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