On first discovering Ruby Sparks, the film looked set to be consigned to the shelf reserved for quirky indie romantic-comedy stories about quirky couples and their relationships. Initially, it seemed to abound in clichéd lead characters, such as an introspective writer (complete with glasses and old-school typewriter) who struggles to get the attention of emotionally engaging girls, and a kooky girl with colourful tights and a fondness for painting. However, though there were many similarities to this genre, Ruby Sparks proved to be much more than a tale of two outliers falling in and out of love.

            Struggling writer Calvin Weir-Fields (Paul Dano) overcomes his writer’s block by creating a fictional character based on a girl from his recurring dreams. After a period of prolific writing, she comes into real life thinking that she’s been Calvin’s girlfriend for several months. Reminds you of the Pygmalion story, right? In fact, Ruby Sparks goes much further in its exploration of the power and status of the creator-artist. It represents the myriad emotional consequences, such as confusion, humour and, ultimately, pathos, of dealing with one’s creation; it also captures the effect of living not as a real person, but as a fictional being at the mercy of someone else’s whimsical desires.

            Surrounding this simple, but powerful, kernel of a plot are numerous weighty themes, including the nature of dreams and reality, madness and genius, and perfectionism. The consistent verbal references to such themes are backed up by visual symbolism and create enjoyable moments of dramatic irony; far from feeling clunky, these comments are subtly blended into the story. The plot itself successfully depicts the relationship between Calvin and Ruby, ranging believably between moments of joyful exuberance and the reality of co-habiting life.

            The film is visually, musically and emotionally striking, which all makes for an absorbing viewing experience. One scene was particularly memorable for its sinister representation of the climax of the struggle over Ruby’s autonomy, marking a complete shift from the earlier calculated silliness.

            Despite instances of slowness, Ruby Sparks successfully takes the common topic of the trials of love within a relationship and treats it is a way that is sometimes hilarious and sometimes dark, but constantly maintains a philosophical edge. Part of what makes this charming film so enjoyable is that it does not take itself quite seriously or pretend to be what it is not. Far from disputing how a written character could come to life in the first place, such ambiguities in this convincing film left me thinking long after I had left the cinema.