“CROSS-DRESSING WITH STYLE”
Starring: Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
MPAA Rating: R
Genre: Â Comedy and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min
Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures
By John Delia
If you are looking for a very good film with some great acting, direction and an offbeat storyline then rush to see The Extra Man. Kevin Kline and Paul Dano give performances that show they are on the top of their game.  This is one comedy that should be on every film buff’s top ten for 2010.
The movie storyline centers on Louis (Paul Dano), a young teacher who finds himself out of a job when he gets caught cross-dressing by the Princeton prep school head master. A lover of F. Scott Fitzgerald, he moves to New York where he rents a room from Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline), an out of money gigolo who works as an escort for the wealthy widows in Manhattan. The two get along well and Henry even brings Louis along on a few dates. When Henry accidentally finds out the strange side of Louis, their friendship takes an odd turn for the worse.
Dano and Kline give outstanding performances in the weird tale of offbeat living in New York City. Dano puts on a show as the obsessive cross dressing dreamer who
seeks out women who love to spank their customers for a few coins and a chance to control the male ego. He has the looks of a woman when he is dressed in full regalia, but underneath you still see a speck of manliness. Kline on the other hand does what he does best; slides into his egoistic character making Henry the center of every conversation while trying to dazzle the most pompous of clients. Even at his age he can still be considered a youngster to the aged wealthy matriarchs he dates.
Oh, and to you Katie Holmes, GREAT show girl. I loved every moment you were on screen.
Resolute direction by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini keeps the story moving providing excellent acting from the whole cast. The two flesh out their characters quickly so the audience can enjoy the acting without getting bogged down in a guessing game as to where each person fits into the scheme of things.
The film is rated R and contains sexual situations, nudity, language and mild violence.
FINAL ANLAYSIS: A very cool film about canoodling for dollars. (4 of 5)