Arlen Faber (Daniels) is the world’s most famous self-help author. His book, entitled “Me & God” has been translated into nearly every language and serves as the life manual for those not finding answers in the Bible. In his book, Faber inscribes his conversations with God.
He asks the man upstairs all the important questions like, “Why are there wars, disease, and poverty?” What allowed Faber to corner “10% of the God Market” is that he’s the only author to get genuine responses from the big guy. The film begins twenty-five years following the hit book’s release. A lot has changed for the spiritual communicator since then. Now a recluse, living in his large and lonely home, Arlen Faber doesn’t speak to God anymore. He only speaks to his publicist (Dunn) who is preparing a special 25th Anniversary edition of “Me & God.”
When Faber is forced out of his home due to a back injury, he’s also forced to do something he hasn’t done in a very long time: talk to people. Along his way, he meets Elizabeth (Graham), a single mother and back specialist who somehow has gone through life having never read “Me & God” and with no idea who Faber is. This is so refreshing for the God Guru that he instantly falls for her. Of course, her looks don’t hurt either. He also deals with an independent book store owner named Kris (Pucci) who recently got out of rehab. Kris knows who Faber is and refuses to leave him alone. Suddenly, Kris believes that he’s found the answers to all of his questions and the two work out a barter system. The reluctant Faber begins to help Kris deal with his problems while at the same time having his own problem wooing Elizabeth.
“Arlen Faber” is a cute film without a lot of depth. It examines hot-button topics such as spirituality, religion, life, and death all without pressing any of those buttons. What Hindman has done is suck all of the controversy out of controversial issues. He’s taken the idea of a higher being and wrapped it in a fluffy romantic comedy. In short, moms who like going to church and watching PG-13 movies are going to like this one. This one’s for those who felt “Henry Poole is Here” was too much a downer and “Passion of the Christ” was just inappropriate.
