Up and coming young New York novelist Philip (Rushmore’s Jason Schwartzman) suffers a crisis of confidence on the eve of the publication of his second novel. He finds solace in a burgeoning friendship with his Philip Roth-like hero, played by Jonathan Pryce (Ike Zimmerman – echoes of Roth’s alter ego, Nathan Zuckerman).

This dry, misanthropic black comedy of manners has led to writer-director Alex Ross Perry – a graduate of New York University’s film programme who was only 29 when the film premiered at Sundance – being compared with major American indie talents such as Noah Baumbach and Wes Anderson. It is his third feature, and the first to be released in the UK.

“the pic formally announces Perry as one of the most promising young talents on the indie scene … like listening to a series of inspired solos by the members of a jazz ensemble … that rare movie in which no character feels subordinate.” Scott Foundas, Variety.

“a deeply misanthropic portrait of narcissism, the brittle nature of artistic talent and the struggles of living in New York City, this toxic comedy pulls very few punches when it needs to get really nasty.” Rodrigo Perez, IndiewireAwards include ,  Film Festival.