Ruby Sparks

A writer (Paul Dano) suffers a severe case of writer's block after having published a blockbuster novel and having been proclaimed a "genius"- the kiss of death in creativity. The pressure freezes his brain. But his shrink suggests he do a specific writing exercise, and voila!- the woman he imagines is perfect and is his total creation- so of course, in she walks into his life. Really. Named Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan- Dano's real life girlfriend as well as the writer of the film), and everyone else can see her, too. Now there is a novel in the making.  Some people want to compare this to all the other films based on this idea- but I would prefer to simply say there is a charm and inventiveness to this film. Dano plays the reclusive and inept boyfriend with just the right intensity. Kazan is the appropriate level of charming and goofy- she's written herself a role full of opportunity.  Of course, the viewer can pull a lot of analysis into the characters- I found the ending to be a cop out- but it certainly is one of the best movies this year. I would hope Dano and Kazan win an award or two for what they accomplished.