Movies with Paul Dano and/or Kevin Kline are always pleasant to watch - even if their plot leaves to be desired. They are both non-mainstream actors, and talented and courageous enough to accept weirdos' roles... Plus Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly included - it can't be a flop!Well, the plot is sometimes hectic and includes "odd" scenes not providing additional value to the whole course of action, but the performances of all the above-mentioned make you turn a blind eye regarding shortcomings. Accompanying and entertaining wealthy older women in their fanciful social lives and cross-dressing are not topics widely known (I can imagine that the majority would have no compassion for Harrison's and Ives' "sufferings"), but those kinds of people exist and sometimes it is worthy to follow different aspirations for love and understanding. Besides, The Extra Man is not over-pretentious, not a movie for art's sake. If you tend to like movies shown at Sundance, you will at least like - if not love - to watch it.

An ultimately fairly lame movie about a young man (Paul Dano) who rents a room from an older eccentric (Kevin Kline) and learns from him how to be a dandy.The biggest problem with "The Extra Man" is that the entire film hinges on what Dano's character learns from his experiences living with Kline, but what it is he learns is never made explicit to us. He seems to be confused about whether or not he wants the experience of being with women or BEING a woman (his hidden fetish is cross dressing), and there are several ambiguous questions about both his and Kline's sexuality that are never fully resolved. It would appear that at the film's end he's achieved some enlightenment about himself, but what that enlightenment is I certainly couldn't tell you.Dano is pretty good despite limitations in the material; Kline is merely serviceable. The film also stars John C. Reilly and Katie Holmes, who shows some spunk as a co-worker of Dano but whose role feels oddly truncated.Grade: C

a great ensemble of good story and cinematography, well established characters, nice acting and well chosen soundtrack...I simply couldn't find out why its not a masterpiece. But you'll certainly see something 'new'Paul Dano is brilliant in his role as Louis Ives, the young gentleman who struggles about his sexual identity and being born late to this world... Kevin Kline is great in playing the eccentric landlord. The story is great but it has some flaws in the script, such an original movie should have had some catchy, clever lines. there should have been more references to Fitzgerald and James since the character is a teacher of English literature and basically lives the life of a gentleman of old times

This movie actually took me by surprise.First of all, let me start off by saying that the story is so compelling and spellbinding that it will blow you away. There is just something about this movie that is so unique in every way.The characters in this movie are so fantastically unique, quirky and lovable. It all just came together for a greater unity. The role of Louis Ives (played by Paul Dano) was the quirkiest of all, struggling to find his place in life, dealing with his sexuality and the admiration of Henry and trying to find acceptance. And I must admit that Paul Dano portrayed his character in a very good way; he was awesome in this movie. And his resemblance to a young Liam Neeson is just uncanny.Moving on to the role of Henry Harrison (played by Kevin Kline), well his role was eccentric and strict. But, as usual, Kline put on a magnificent performance. He is very charismatic and have a good voice. He is indeed one of the better actors of recent times.And also, not forgetting, the strange character of Gershon Gruen (played by John C. Reilly) was also very memorable and lovable, especially his voice.In all fairness, then this movie worked so good on all levels. However, I think that a share of people might be put off by the movie, as it does have that certain epic cinema moment to it, and also dealing with (and I use this term in lack of better) sexually deviant behavior. For me, I found that aspect of the movie to be one of the driving factors, because it showed how Louis Ives was struggling to find himself and dealing with his needs.The movie is very beautiful in more than one way. The story is beautiful, the cinematography is beautiful, the music is beautiful, and so forth. This is one of the better movies I have seen in a while. It is a fresh breath of change in the movie scene for me. Nice with a movie that stands out from the mainstream comedies, and dares to be so unique as it is.If you haven't already seen "The Extra Man", then you owe it to yourself to do so, especially if you are (like me) a lover of the cinema and movies. This is a story that will stay with you for a long, long time.Thumbs up, way, way up from me!