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For those who like to keep guessing, even after the movie is over, this one is for you.

Joel David Moore co-directs and stars as Mason, an introverted telemarketer with a talent for sketching and painting. Mason’s only friend is his long-time boss and confidante, Chuck, played by Zachary Levi. Enter new coworker Amber, played by Amber Tamblyn, a quirky but altogether normal girl that takes an interest in Mason. Amber is enamored with Mason’s love of jazz and talent for art. She offers to pose for him, and the mismatched romance begins.
Along the way we learn something truly disturbing underlies Mason’s gentle nature. What is behind the door he’ll never enter? What is in the large trash bags he carries to the dumpster in the dead of night? Amber discovers a drawer full of sketches, all of different girls in the same poses, the last page of each sketch book ripped out.
Moore does an excellent job portraying the character of an emotionally disturbed man, using posture, lack of eye contact, and stilted dialogue to make the character authentic. Less attention is given to the other two main characters. We learn little about their past and why they take interest in Mason. One-dimensional boss and best friend Chuck is an arrogant, womanizing, cliché, right down to the bottle of whiskey he keeps in his desk drawer. Amber Tamblyn, likewise, does a good job playing the carefree girl whose back-story is given little attention. Why, we are forced to ask, is she interested in Mason? Couldn’t she have picked someone more…normal?

Having said this, one wonders if the writer/director intentionally underdeveloped these characters. After all, the movie is seen almost entirely through Mason’s eyes. And the main plot line is, after all, based on Mason’s psyche. The love story between Amber and Mason is touching, as we see bits and pieces of who Mason might have been if things had not been as tragic for him. Unfortunately, it took two-thirds of the movie to pass before I truly become interested in what makes this guy tick. 

The twist at the end? Fairly predictable.

Extras include a the “making of” featurette, a running commentary with the main actors and writers/directors,  and three cinefile promos, fun for those that like to see the actors and behind-the-scenes people in their element, but otherwise doesn’t given any insight into the movie.

For those that look for pure entertainment from a movie, pass this one by. For those that prefer to drink several glasses of wine and discuss the movies merits, characters, and subtext, go for it. You’ll love it.

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