***may have spoilers****I was previously in a writing group similar to this one for a couple years, took various creative writing classes, even studying with well known authors so I really got a kick out of it. Created as a fake docu-drama about motley group of budding writers, I felt for the various characters as they were desperately trying to find agents, get published or even self-publish, fall in love, or out of it, etc. Even though much was greatly exaggerated it was amusing, always something going on. Compared to many movies out there, I loved it. It was different and held my attention thruout.

As in the TV series "The Office", which I never watched, a group of writers who meet periodically and call themselves "Authors Anonymous" is the subject of a documentary. In some scenes one or more members are being interviewed by someone we can't see or hear. In others it appears cameras are not following the group members, but occasionally someone talks to the camera or a character who is not part of the group asks about the cameras, so we can assume they are there.In the first scene, Alan and Colette are together at home. The first thing Colette does is talk baby talk to a dog. To me dogs aren't cute, so Colette is not scoring any points with me already. Adam is an eye doctor who carries a recording device constantly so he can record story ideas. Colette is a former masseuse who still likes yoga and meditation and is spoiled. Dr. Xiroman, who has taken a vow of silence, is her spiritual adviser.I think we see the entire group in the next scene, but I will go ahead and introduce the characters anyway.John K. Butzin (who, like Ed LaSalle, the most memorable character in a Mary Tyler Moore sitcom I can't remember the name of, uses his full name when talking about himself) is an older man who served in Vietnam and has written the book "Roaring Lion" about his experience. He is quite annoying but still a pleasure to watch somehow. Sigrid is his pretty German girlfriend.Hannah comes across as a dumb blonde in the interviews but seems more intelligent, if not educated, when talking with the other characters. Her book is called "Sleeping on the Moon". She lives with her divorced mother Maureen, who is nice.Henry delivers pizzas, cleans carpets, and struggles to produce anything as a writer. He wants to date Hannah, but is discouraged when she gets an agent Bernie, and later when she meets famous author Richard Brodwell. It is uncertain Henry and Hannah will ever be anything but friends.William is good-looking but very annoying, and I don't mean that in a good way. He doesn't produce much work either, but he gets on the nerves of people in restaurants as he writes down what they say for inspiration.The members of the group seem to get along pretty well at first, but over time they get on each others' nerves. Hannah is the first published author. Okay, that's not true. John K. Butzin pays $250 to have his book published, though there are mistakes. As each member of the group does something to upset one or more of the others, one wonders if the group will even be able to stay together. Hannah doesn't want to brag, but of course some in the group think her success means she is the star of the group so she is better than they are.Hannah and Henry try hard. Henry even introduces her to "The Great Gatsby", which she has never read. She has never read anything. Even a pretty waitress where they are eating has read the book and is impressed. I was going to say the actress has one line but makes the most of it, but she actually has many more lines later and shows that she was capable of more.David Kelleher is a memorable patient of Alan who might be able to help one or more members of the group make it as a writer.Kaley Cuoco was my main reason for being interested in this movie, even when it looked like a failure. She gives a great performance and is of course quite good-looking, especially in a tank top or shorts or both, or nothing but a man's dress shirt. She wears a spaghetti-strap top in one scene. But she has such a great personality. I won't say her looks don't matter because they are important to the plot, but they're not that necessary. And she's great with Henry, but not all that romantic. She wears glasses to read, but while I wasn't crazy about her first pair, her second pair look worse. No, in the photo representing the movie on IMDb, she's wearing a pair she tried but didn't like.Dennis Farina once again reminds us how much we have lost. He's not a particularly likable character, but one we can love to hate. His misfortunes are hilarious, helped along by Tricia Helfer.Teri Polo and I have a history. Her character in "Northern Exposure" was so unpleasant I all but quit watching the show. That's how bad it had gotten. And she's just as terrible here, at least to me. In the first scene she has pretty hair but not a pretty face. Later, with more makeup, she's somewhat good-looking. But her personality is really hard to take. She does have some good scenes that even I couldn't criticize. I believe people will like her. Just not me.Chris Klein is someone you want to root for, but watching his difficulties is actually kind of fun. He's pleasant enough.Overall, it was pretty good.

Against my previous experiences with direct-to-video movies I made the mistake of renting this one all because the cast and the plot seemed promising. This is really the first movie that I felt like making a comment about before I even finished watching it. Trust me and save yourselves. Although the plot somewhat seems original enough, the scripting is very poor, it is full of very predictable dialogs. I can even complete the sentences word by word as the actors speak them. I actually felt sorry for the cast, they must have needed the money bad which seems to be paid by Coca Cola, since their variety of products and their brand logo can be seen everywhere all the time. What a waste of my time.

If you're a writer, know one, or just want to find out what goes on in a crazy, dysfunctional writer's group, Authors Anonymous is the film for you. With a wonderful central performance by Kaley Cuoco and an excellent cast that keeps the story zipping right along, Authors Anonymous is great fun from start to finish. First time screenwriter, Dave Congalton, has fashioned a hilarious romp that's a definite audience pleaser. Dennis Farina, in his last screen role, is hilarious and Teri Polo is another standout in the excellent cast. I've been following Jonathan Banks since TV's Falcon Crest days and his deadpan delivery can't be beat. Run to your theaters and catch this zany indie. You'll be glad you did. Somehow ten stars doesn't seem enough!