IMDb 8 2017 HD

The Novelist

The Novelist

2017
Comedy
86 min NR Australia
8 IMDB

Lewis was a decently selling writer once. But now that he is older, his books no longer sell, and his girlfriend is tired of being with someone who…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Laurent Boulanger
Starring
Paul Dawber / Helen Miller / Albert Goikhman / Stephanie Van Rekum Ayres / Mardi Edge / Amanda Pritchard / Courtney Brackley

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

weary compelling bleak predictable nuanced intriguing melancholic serviceable sensitive relatable thoughtful atmospheric

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
Apr 13, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

In 'The Novelist', Paul Dawber offers a sensitive portrayal of a man at a personal and professional precipice. The film effectively captures the feeling of being trapped by circumstances, both financial and creative. The dynamic between Lewis and…

L
Liam O'Connell
Apr 13, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The premise of 'The Novelist' is ripe with dramatic potential, exploring the erosion of artistic passion under the weight of practical concerns. Paul Dawber carries the film with a performance steeped in believable weariness. However, the narrative's trajectory,…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Apr 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a nuanced character study that resonates deeply. Paul Dawber is superb as Lewis, a writer wrestling with fading relevance and financial woes. The film’s strength lies in its quiet observation of the creative process and the…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 13, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

'The Novelist' presents a rather bleak portrait of a creative professional at a crossroads. Dawber embodies Lewis's disillusionment adequately, but the film struggles to elevate itself beyond a somewhat predictable plot. The supporting cast, including Helen Miller, do…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 13, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Paul Dawber delivers a weary but compelling performance as Lewis, a writer whose best days appear to be behind him. The film effectively captures the quiet desperation of creative burnout and the sting of financial hardship. While the…

FAQs

Absolutely. 'The Novelist' centres on the plight of a once-successful writer facing the harsh realities of a declining career. The narrative explores the financial pressures that can compromise artistic integrity and the emotional toll of creative stagnation. Lewis's journey through a community college teaching job and his entanglement with a new muse highlight the challenges many artists face in balancing their passion with the need for financial security and relevance.