Review of The Extra Man (2010) by Manny C — 24 Nov 2010

In this adaptation of Jonathan Ames' beloved 1998 novel Kevin Kline gives one of his most interesting performances in years. Kline is Henry Harrison, a Manhattan aristocrat unsatisfied with his posh life, since his income can't keep up with his expensive tastes. He moonlights as an extra man, whose job it is to cavort with elderly socialites.

Henry also has a room in his apartment that he rents out to Louis Ives (Paul Dano), a teacher who recently lost his job when he was caught trying on a bra. Henry takes Louis in and so begins Louis' 'education' under the guidance of a man who views on sex are (in his words) 'to the right of the Pope'. None of that helps the fact that Louis is head over heels for his co-worker Mary (Katie Holmes) who works at an environmental magazine, and that's not even taking into account his fascination with cross dressing.

So that's The Extra Man, adapted by Ames himself with co-directors Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Bergman, the husband and wife directing team who gave us the brilliant American Splendor. The Extra Man is frustratingly uneven though, with bumpy pace. Kline keeps things interesting. In scenes where Henry is educating Louis in the ways of peeing in public or lecturing on the dangers of educating women, Kline hits all the right notes of mirth, laced with melancholy in this great role. He's the real deal.