Best Sellers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy, chain-smoking author who communicates primarily via F-bombs gets dragged on a chaotic book tour by a struggling young publisher, inadvertently becoming a viral sensation by being hilariously awful.

🍿 Best Sellers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Reclusive Literary Legend and a Struggling Publishing House

Decades after his single successful novel, ‘Atomic Autumn,’ Harris Shaw (Michael Caine) lives a reclusive, cantankerous life in upstate New York, struggling with his next manuscript and battling personal demons. Meanwhile, Lucy Stanbridge (Aubrey Plaza) inherits her father’s once-respected publishing house, now facing imminent bankruptcy. Lucy battles bad reviews and a persistent offer from her former boyfriend, Jack Sinclair, to buy out her struggling company.

The Unearthing of a Contract and a New Manuscript

Desperate to save her legacy, Lucy and her assistant, Rachel, scour their author contracts. They discover an old agreement with Harris Shaw, stipulating he owes them one more book. Despite Harris’s initial hostile refusal and reclusive nature, Lucy persistently tracks him down. Against all odds, Harris eventually delivers a new manuscript, ‘The Future is X-Rated,’ a cryptic novel about the last man and woman on Earth, offering Lucy a lifeline for her company.

An Unconventional and Viral Book Tour

With ‘The Future is X-Rated’ published, Lucy must get the reluctant Harris to embark on a book tour. Harris’s abrasive personality and public antics, including swearing at audiences and physically attacking a New York Times critic (Cary Elwes), initially hinder sales and lead to his arrest. However, Lucy’s resourceful and unconventional marketing strategies, such as selling ‘offensive quote’ t-shirts and sharing viral videos of ordinary people reading from the book, unexpectedly turn Harris into a counter-culture sensation, boosting sales and saving the company.

Hidden Pasts Revealed

As Harris and Lucy travel across the country, their initially adversarial relationship evolves into a unique, albeit volatile, bond. A scheduled appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ is interrupted when Lucy makes an unexpected stop at a nursing home, revealing her father, Joseph, is alive but suffering from dementia. During this visit, Harris explodes in anger upon seeing Joseph’s writings, accusing him of stealing his words and betraying him decades ago, hinting at a deep, unresolved pain.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harris Shaw (Michael Caine): A reclusive, curmudgeonly author reluctantly embarks on a final book tour to help a young publisher save her inherited company.
• Lucy Stanbridge (Aubrey Plaza): A determined young publisher desperately trying to save her family’s struggling publishing house by managing the erratic behavior of a legendary, reclusive author.
• Rachel Spence (Ellen Wong): Lucy’s loyal and efficient assistant who provides unwavering support in the chaotic world of publishing and managing Harris Shaw.
• Jack Sinclair (Scott Speedman): Lucy’s former boyfriend and a corporate executive persistently trying to acquire her financially struggling publishing company.
• Halpern Nolan (Cary Elwes): A prominent New York Times book critic whose critical review of Harris Shaw’s new book sparks a memorable public confrontation.
• Joseph Stanbridge (Luc Morissette): Lucy’s ailing father and the original publisher who shared a complex and secretive past with Harris Shaw, impacting both their lives.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lucy Stanbridge: “The wealthiest place on earth is not, as you write, the graveyard. It’s being alive. Even if you’re left completely alone. What you don’t realize is that you have competently failed to rob the last man on earth of hope. Hope, that’s the truth that I found.” – Lucy passionately confronts Harris, articulating her deep conviction about the importance of living and finding hope, challenging his cynical worldview.
• Harris Shaw: “You’re not changing a single bloody word! And I’m not going on any goddamn tour!” – Harris vehemently rejects Lucy’s attempts to edit his manuscript or force him to embark on a promotional book tour, showcasing his stubborn and reclusive nature.
• Lucy Stanbridge: “This isn’t about selling books anymore, Harris. It’s about a movement. We’re going viral!” – Lucy excitedly explains to Harris how their unconventional marketing strategy, involving fan-made video readings, has unexpectedly turned his book into a viral sensation.
• Harris Shaw: “The truth… it burns.” – Harris says this while setting fire to copies of his own books in a bookstore, a dramatic and symbolic act reflecting his nihilistic views and the painful truths within his work.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $336,174

💥 Best Sellers Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored ‘Best Sellers’! From the moment Michael Caine’s character, Harris Shaw, swore at pretty much everyone, I knew I was in for a treat. The dynamic between his grumpy, reclusive author and Aubrey Plaza’s determined, yet overwhelmed, publisher Lucy Stanbridge was just fantastic. Their road trip felt so genuine, full of awkward laughs and unexpected moments of tenderness. The scene where people start burning his book after reading it, believing it’s the ultimate homage, was so unique and perfectly captured the film’s quirky charm. It’s a heartwarming story about finding connection in unlikely places and the true meaning of legacy. I was totally invested in their journey and felt a real emotional punch by the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Michael Caine’s later-career performances and iconic screen presence.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas with a strong comedic undertone.”
  • “Those interested in stories about unlikely friendships, intergenerational relationships, and personal redemption.”
  • “Readers and writers looking for a film set in the world of book publishing.”
  • “Anyone who enjoys quirky, heartwarming independent films.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language and frequent swearing, particularly from Harris Shaw.”
  • “Portrayal of alcoholism and heavy drinking.”
  • “Mature themes including grief, loss, financial struggles, and past trauma.”
  • “A brief scene depicting self-harm or property damage (setting books on fire).”
  • “A brief scene of vomiting.”

Professional Reviews

• Adapted: “‘Best Sellers’ delivers a surprisingly touching and often hilarious journey, largely thanks to Michael Caine’s masterful performance as the curmudgeonly author Harris Shaw. Aubrey Plaza holds her own, creating an engaging dynamic that transcends a familiar premise. While the plot has predictable beats, the genuine chemistry and sharp dialogue elevate the experience, offering a charming blend of comedy and drama. It’s a warm, character-driven film that explores legacy and redemption with a witty edge.
• Adapted: “This film, at its heart, is a delightful two-hander showcasing the undeniable talents of Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza. Caine imbues Harris Shaw with an authentic crustiness that’s both comical and deeply moving, while Plaza navigates her character’s ambition and vulnerability with finesse. The film’s commentary on the evolving publishing world and social media’s impact on celebrity feels timely. It’s a gentle yet effective dramedy that proves compelling characters can overcome a conventional narrative structure.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers especially loved Michael Caine’s ‘stellar’ and ‘natural’ performance, finding his portrayal of the crotchety author both hilarious and deeply moving.: Audiences consistently praised the unexpected chemistry between Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza, highlighting how their on-screen dynamic made the film engaging, funny, and surprisingly sentimental.

The film’s exploration of generational differences and the evolving literary world resonated with many, feeling fresh and relevant.: The humor, often derived from Shaw’s bluntness and the absurdities of the book tour, along with the underlying heartfelt story of personal growth and redemption, was frequently cited as a major draw.

Overall Consensus: Best Sellers is largely embraced as a charming and heartfelt dramedy, buoyed by the strong performances and compelling chemistry of its two leads, offering a gentle yet humorous take on life, literature, and unexpected connections.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The photograph of Harris Shaw and his wife seen on his bedside near the end is an actual photo of Sir Michael Caine and his wife Shakira Caine.”
• “The film’s initial end credit is ‘for my dad’, a personal dedication.”
• “Despite being set in the United States, particularly Boston and New York, the movie was filmed in Montréal, Québec, Canada.”

🖥️ How to Watch Best Sellers?

Best Sellers was released in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2023. While specific streaming subscriptions are not detailed, the film is widely available for digital purchase and rental. You can find it on major video-on-demand platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred service for current pricing and availability, allowing you to watch this heartwarming drama at your convenience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Best Sellers, you might like these similar films:

• Wonder Boys (2000): Features a quirky, struggling author and explores the chaotic world of publishing and academic life, much like ‘Best Sellers’ delves into the literary world.
• Gran Torino (2008): An iconic, curmudgeonly older man forms an unlikely, transformative bond with a young person, leading to personal growth and redemption, similar to Harris and Lucy’s relationship.
• Finding Forrester (2000): Focuses on a reclusive, brilliant author who takes a young, aspiring writer under his wing, developing a deep mentorship amidst their shared passion for words.
• The Farewell (2019): Explores complex family dynamics, cultural clashes, and an emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance, often with a bittersweet tone and quirky characters.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): A road trip film with a dysfunctional but ultimately loving group of characters, finding humor and meaning in their struggles and unexpected connections.

🛒 Best Sellers Related Products

• The Future is X-Rated – Deluxe Hardcover Edition: Inspired by Harris Shaw’s fictional masterpiece from the movie, this limited-edition hardcover offers a unique take on his gritty, profound work. Designed to replicate the book seen in the film, it includes exclusive ‘author’s notes’ and a ‘burned’ dust jacket effect.
• Royal Classic Manual Typewriter with Ink Ribbon: Embrace the old-school charm of writing with this functional, vintage-style manual typewriter. Perfect for aspiring authors or those who appreciate the tactile experience and distinct sound of traditional composition, much like Harris Shaw.
• Michael Caine: Blowing the Bloody Doors Off – And Other Lessons in Life: Dive into the wisdom and wit of Sir Michael Caine himself with his autobiography. This candid memoir shares life lessons, anecdotes from his legendary career, and insights into the mindset of one of cinema’s greatest actors.
• Best Sellers Movie Poster – Vintage ‘Burned Book’ Art Print: A high-quality art print featuring the movie’s unique ‘burned book’ aesthetic, capturing the film’s blend of literary passion and irreverent humor. Available in various sizes to suit any fan’s wall.

🎧 Soundtrack

Best Sellers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Don Giovanni, K 527: Act I Scene 15: Aria: Fin ch’han dal vino” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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