Posted: Sun., Jan. 28, 2007, 12:13pm PT

Sundance 2007

Dedication

By Todd McCarthy

Mandy Moore is an illustrator assigned to work with author Billy Crudup in Justin Theroux’s directorial debut, “Dedication.”

A Weinstein Co. and First Look Features release of a Plum Pictures presentation in association with Hart/Lunsford Pictures. Produced by David Bromberg, Celine Rattray, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Galt Niederhoffer. Executive producers, Justin Theroux, Chip Seelig, Reagan Silber, Luke Weinstock. Co-producers, Pamela Hirsch, Carina Alves, Jai Stefan. Directed by Justin Theroux. Screenplay, David Bromberg.

Henry Roth - Billy Crudup Lucy Reilly - Mandy Moore Carol - Dianne Wiest Arthur Planck - Bob Balaban Don Meyers - Bobby Cannavale Allison - Christine Taylor Roger Spade - Peter Bogdanovich Cassidy's Mom - Amy Sedaris Abusive Mom - Catherine Kellner Robin - Chris Fitzgerald Matthew - Jeremy Shamos Jeremy - Martin Freeman Rudy Holt - Tom Wilkinson

A man nasty to others by intent makes it very difficult for a young woman to come to like him, and the same goes for the viewer in "Dedication." Individual scenes in actor Justin Theroux's directorial debut possess a certain flair, but the central issue on which the story turns -- how obnoxious and mean-spirited can you be and still get someone to love you? -- presents a forbidding obstacle. Weinstein and First Look, which acquired the picture at Sundance, have a commercial hook with Mandy Moore in an entirely adult role but will face an uphill battle in luring audiences.

Vaguely uninviting, not-funny-enough touches begin with the opening scene, in which the older Rudy (Tom Wilkinson) is enjoying an old-time sexploitationer in a cinema (what kind of venue is this supposed to be, exactly, a porn revival house?) and trying to force his younger companion, Henry (Billy Crudup), who's averting his eyes, to watch with him. Seems this sort of diversion helps the pair cook up ideas for their ongoing collaboration on children's books, and it works this time, as they successfully pitch their idea for a tome about beavers to their editor, Arthur (Bob Balaban).

The first "Marty the Beaver" book evidently hits big, but when the robust Rudy suddenly dies, writer Henry is matched with new illustrator Lucy (Moore), a good-looking kid with issues stemming mostly from her nutsy mother (Dianne Wiest).

Henry does everything he can to alienate Lucy, insulting her and providing a crash course on his antisocial neuroses. But the financial incentives are too great to ignore: Henry's book contract will be canceled unless he produces in 3½ weeks, while Arthur privately promises Lucy a $200,000 bonus if she can get Henry to deliver.

As they launch their collaboration, Henry's quick-trigger nastiness remains in excellent working order. But the nastiness is just a defense system for his insecurities; in periodic visits to Rudy's grave, he admits to his departed mentor that he's beginning to like the young lady who, in a bit of inconvenient timing, is again being courted by the former beau who once dumped her (Martin Freeman).

An off-season spell together in Arthur's spacious Long Island manse is intended to force Henry and Lucy's book to completion, but it also forces the issue of their relationship, for better and worse. Henry unsurprisingly turns out to be a romantic at heart, but he's his own worst enemy when anything important is on the line.

Henry's willful orneriness dominates David Bromberg's screenplay, which fitfully develops a romantic subcurrent that Crudup is able to illuminate at certain moments. But Theroux doesn't maintain firm control of the tone, particularly going astray in attempts at comic interludes as well as in the ending, which unattractively takes place in a public bathroom and is not really convincing in the bargain.

Moore is perfectly all right, but it would have been nice to see Lucy at work on occasion to show her artistic skills. When all is said and done, one is never persuaded that she belongs with either Henry or her old b.f.

Tech contributions are good, although pic could lose some of the music-filled interludes to quicken the pace.

Camera (Technicolor), Steve Kazmierski; editor, Andy Keir; music, Edward Shearmur; additional music, Deerhoof; music supervisor, Tracy McKnight; production designer, Teresa Mastropierro; set decorator, Niamh Byrne; costume designer, Heidi Bivens; sound (Dolby Digital), Ken Ishii; sound designer-supervising sound editor, Ben Cheah; re-recording mixer, Lewis Goldstein; associate producer, Jessica Levin; assistant director, Mariela Comitini. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Spectrum), Jan. 24, 2007. Running time: 111 MIN.