Best Sellers (2021)

[Edgy MD]

Editor and heiress to her father's once-celebrated publishing house is at the end of her rope trying to save the family business, when she gets her hands on a new manuscript from the reclusive author whose book established the house 40 years prior.

Now a boozy, misanthrope who hasn't published since that initial success, he is chauffeured around by the young publisher for a book tour that is a last-ditch effort for both of them.

Can hyjinx be far behind?

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

There was a small wine chain several years back called Best Cellars. I feel like this movie is about that clever.

[Edgy MD]

It has its moments., though your instincts serve you well, and are not far off.

The funny thing is that I have a beef with movies about writing — that, when they reveal the genius passages that the genius writer has been putting out, they aren't so genius at all, but right up to the spotty standards of the screenwriter, because that is, of course, where they came from.

But the passages produced by the Michael Caine character are actually intriguing, and better than the mostly uninspired writing in the film, so while it feels pretty off-the-conveyor belt for the first half, it improves along the way.

Plaza also plays against type, coming across as nervous but competent, rather than her usual cold, crazy, playing-with-dynamite types.