Ruby Sparks And The Torture Of Creativity

The movies have long been fascinated by the creative process and the angst of bringing a new creative product to life.
Often, movies that tackle such subjects are based on the actual journeys of creative geniuses (Amadeus and Lust for Life come to mind, among others).
But in the new film Ruby Sparks the entire scenario is fictitious and actually fantastical.
Calvin (Paul Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing - as well as his romantic life.
Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby (Zoe Kazan) who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby, in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.
Kazan and Dano bring these characters to life with alternative turns of neurosis, romance and whimsy that have you accepting (if nor totally believing) a story that you might otherwise discard.
Dano is exceptionally appealing as the young creative genius who cannot imbibe the word "genius" and who wonders if he will ever be able to recapture his early success or if that's what he actually wants after all.
And as Ruby, Kazan (who also wrote the screenplay) is kooky, charming, and ultimately irresistible.
So these two fall in love and that's where the trouble begins.
Because once Ruby comes to life Calvin isn't quite sure what to do with her or how to handle her. The power that he has over his own creation becomes too much for him to handle.
Well, this is a dilemma that all creative types struggle with. And here's the nut of it: That thing that you created (be it a novel, a painting, a play, a song or yes -- a movie) isn't yours anymore once you've finished the last word or the last brush stroke or the last edit.
The minute the creative product is completed, it's gone. It doesn't belong to you anymore. It belongs to the reader, the art lover, the viewer, the listener and all who choose to engage with it or consume it.
And the final struggle that all creative people face can be summed up in two words: letting go. You have to learn to let go of the words or notes you strung together, the characters you created, the ideas you formulated, the images you brought to life.
It ain't easy.
Because you know that this is your baby. But now you have to share it with the world. Still, you have no choice. You must let it go.
And often, it's a great letdown.
Ruby Sparks tackles all of this with engaging young actors surrounding by a fine cast of veterans such as Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening and Elliot Gould (as Calvin's astute psychiatrist, Dr. Rosenthal).
Just as with any creative product, once Ruby comes into Calvin's life nothing is the same anymore. She changes everything. She's more than a handful. And you begin to wonder: How does this all end? Where is this going? And, now that I've bought into the story what have I gotten myself into?
This is where the creator and the audience interact and the audience actually becomes part of the created work.
Well, I can't say that I was totally satisfied with the ending of Ruby Sparks. In fact, I thought of several earlier episodes in the film where I might have ended it.
But if that's the worst offense of Ruby Sparks, it's relatively minor compared to the fine ensemble cast, savvy screenplay and attentive direction.
For this is surely one of the most inventive movies of the year and, amidst all the superheroes and violence cavorting on the big screen these days it's worth your time and effort.