After a successful best-seller, novelist and narcissist Phillip Lewis Friedman (Jason Schwartzman) wants to write a new book, but he's got writer's block, plus girlfriend issues (mostly caused by him and not by Elizabeth Moss).
Listen Up Phillip's story unfolds like a novel and feels like one to a fault. It focuses on certain characters with the intent of giving them depth, but it kind of backfires. Without the solid performances, it would be a total bore because the story isn't compelling enough on its own. But the bookstore jazz music is a plus.
At times, the film's style of pacing is driven by a narrator with a distinguished voice. And while that voice is pleasant to listen to and I understand its creative intent, it ultimately robs the natural reaction of the audience. It should allow us to work and narrate in our own minds what each character is going through.
This comedy-drama about a total narcissistic comes off as a film that you need an acquired taste to enjoy, though it's not hard to understand. However, if you asked a narcissist (like the ones we see on screen) if they want to see a movie like this, I believe their response would be quite simple.
