Listen Up Philip (15)

FANS of Woody Allen will love this film which harks back to the neurotic comedies of the 1970s.

Listen Up Philip stars Jason Schwartzman as Philip, a young novelist who is awaiting the publication of his second book.

But after the success of his first novel, the self absorbed author gets caught up in his own hype and is driven by his ego.

Philip becomes insufferable, judging his friends and family for their lack of success, blaming everyone and everything for holding him back and barely concealing his jealousy for his girlfriend's high flying career as a photographer.

Director Alex Ross Perry does a really good job at balancing the film's tone between the moments of black comedy and its message about the perils of actually getting what you wish for.

Schwartzman stands out as Philip who drops judgemental, hurtful lines in a complete deadpan style that most people would not think, let alone say out loud.

Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss's performance as Philip's girlfriend Ashley also has emotional depth.

And Jonathan Pryce is excellent as the major novelist who takes Philip under his wing and shares many of his traits.

Listen Up Philip's book theme continues through the film's narration which is where a lot of the comic relief comes from.

But it could have done with a better editor because there are moments when the pithy dialogue reduces to waffle and the slow moving plot would be improved with about half an hour cut from the run time.

The indie film is also offers a great supporting cast which is almost like a who's who of American TV series.

Look out for Breaking Bad's Krysten Ritter and House of Card's Kate Lyn Sheil.