Take a collection of rather oddball characters, stick them in New York City, allow their lives to intersect and you have The Extra Man.
Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline) is the extra man and we meet him when troubled teacher Louis Ives (Paul Dano) moves into his apartment.
After an embarrassing exit from
his previous job, Louis decides it is time to try the Big Apple in search of answers to some of the questions that have been troubling him for some time.
Louis is struggling to find his place in life and to understand aspects of his sexuality.
When he moves in with Henry, he finds a mentor of sorts who rules his life with a quirky conservatism.
Henry doesn't have much to his name but makes his living escorting wealthy widows to high-society events.
Impeccably mannered, Henry provides a plausible and respectable escort.
Under Henry's roof, Louis has the opportunity to learn from Henry's worldly experiences while also trying out some of the things that have plagued his thoughts.
The Extra Man is a predictable story that takes energy to stay with in the early stages but repays you in the end with two compelling characters.
Kline gets a great opportunity to showcase his talents, while Dano reveals himself as a promising talent.
3/5
(M), Roadshow Entertainment
