Henry Roth (Billy Crudup) is a cynical, obsessive compulsive, neurotic author of a hit children's book series. When his long time collaborator and best friend passes away, Roth is forced to work with Lucy (Mandy Moore), a beautiful new illustrator. Distrught and without direction, Henry struggles with letting go of his past and learning how to open up to new people. Directed by Justin Theroux. With Martin Freeman, Amy Sedaris, Dianne Wiest and Tom Wilkinson. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance. Year: 2007.
Bob Balaban in Dedication
Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti), an unassuming building manager, rescues a mysterious young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from the pool he maintains and discovers she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make her way back home. As Cleveland begins to fall in love with the woman, he convinces his tenants to help protect his new friend from the deadly creatures that are determined to keep her in our world. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. With Jeffrey Wright and Freddy Rodríguez. Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller. Year: 2006.
Bob Balaban in Lady in the Water
Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) are teens who have just graduated from high school. They don't really fit in with anyone else and get an apartment together. Enid gets a job in a record store, and together they play a nasty prank on Seymour (Steve Buscemi), a nerdy record collector. Directed by Terry Zwigoff. Categories: Comedy, Drama. Year: 2001.
Bob Balaban in Ghost World
Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) can't catch a break. On one side, his mobster boss (Bob Balaban) demands that he travel to Mexico to retrieve a cursed antique gun, or suffer the consequences. On the other side, his girlfriend, Samantha (Julia Roberts), has given him an ultimatum to give up his criminal ways once and for all. Believing that he can only make things right with Samantha if he is alive, Jerry chooses to go after the gun. Finding the cursed piece of metal is easy, but getting it back across the border proves difficult, especially when Samantha is taken hostage by a gay hitman (James Gandolfini). Directed by Gore Verbinski. With Gene Hackman and J.K. Simmons. Categories: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Romance. Year: 2001.
Bob Balaban in The Mexican
The owners of five show dogs are followed by a film crew as they head for the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. With exuberance and eccentricities to spare, the owners give their take on the world of competitive dog shows and show just how far they're willing to go to make sure their four-legged friends win the top prize. Directed by Christopher Guest. With Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge and Fred Willard. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2000.
Bob Balaban in Best in Show
Novelist Harry Block (Woody Allen) draws his inspiration from his experiences with the people who are closest to him, much to their dismay. His unaplogetic attitude about his writing and a weakness for drugs and women have left him with three ex-wives and alienated many of his friends. When the university that once threw him out invites Harry back to receive an honorary degree, he invites his latest girlfriend, Fay (Elisabeth Shue), to accompany him, only to learn that she has decided to marry Larry (Billy Crystal), Harry's best friend. As Harry drives to the university, he deals with an intense bout of writer's block and interacts with scenes and characters from his novels. Directed by Woody Allen. With Kirstie Alley, Demi Moore, Robin Williams, Judy Davis, Tobey Maguire, Bob Balaban, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Garner and Paul Giamatti. Categories: Comedy. Year: 1997.
Bob Balaban in Deconstructing Harry
After witnessing a UFO, Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) becomes obsessed with the strange visions and musical tones that continually run through his mind. Shaken by the experience and dealing with a the strain on his marriage, Roy sets out to find others with similar experiences. During his search he meets a woman who has lost her son and researcher preparing for the alien's arrival. Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Teri Garr and Lance Henriksen. Categories: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi. Year: 1977.
Bob Balaban in Close Encounters of the Third Kind