‘Best Sellers’ a moving, enjoyable feature

In the Screen Media Films presentation of ‘Best Sellers,’ Lucy Stanbridge has inherited her father’s publishing house, and the ambitious would-be editor has nearly sunk it with failing titles.

She discovers she is owed a book by Harris Shaw, a reclusive, cantankerous, booze-addled author who originally put the company on the map decades earlier.

In a last-ditch effort to save the company, Lucy and Harris release his new book and embark on a book tour from hell that changes them both in ways that they didn't expect.

‘Best Sellers’ is a feature film that is really captivating, emotional, and, at times, funny. This independent film delivers great performances from Aubrey Plaza and the always great Michael Caine. When we’re introduced to Caine’s character, Harris Shaw, we see how cranky Harris can actually be. With Caine’s performance, and the way he delivers his lines, he can actually be quite humorous. Throughout the film, Caine gives an outstanding performance, which can both be humorous and emotional when he needs to be. Actress Aubrey Plaza, mainly known for her comedic roles, gives a tremendously incredible performance as the struggling publisher.

‘Best Sellers’ also does an incredible job with the sentimental moments, which primarily kicks in during the second half of the film. One of the most moving moments is when Harris Shaw is talking about his wife and the main reason why he only wrote the one book. Overall, the film terrifically blends the emotional and comedic moments together.

During the Winter Film Festival, make sure to check out ‘Best Sellers.’ It delivers amazing performances, some funny and quirky moments and some tear-jerking moments as well.

The cast: Michael Caine as Harris Shaw; Aubrey Plaza as Lucy Stanbridge; Scott Speedman as Jack Sinclair; Ellen Wong as Rachel Spence; Cary Elwes as Halpern Nolan; Luc Morissette as Joseph Stanbridge; Veronica Ferres as Drew Davis; Frank Schorpion as Phil Rosen; and Florence Situ as Dr. Chen.

‘Best Sellers’ is written by Anthony Grieco and directed by Lina Roessler.

The project was announced in May 2019 while it was being sold during the Cannes Film Festival. The film was selected, but didn’t have its world premiere, at the Berlin International Film Festival due to the ongoing pandemic. In July 2021, Screen Media Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights. Michael Caine stated in a ‘Vanity Fair’ interview that even though he has a couple more films waiting for release, ‘Best Sellers’ may be the last film he’ll film.

‘Best Sellers’ is not rated and has a running time of 102 minutes.

The Winter Film Festival show dates and times for the film are as follows: Monday Feb. 21 at noon; Friday Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.; Thursday March 3 at 7:15 p.m.; Monday March 7 at noon; and Tuesday March 8 at 7 p.m.