Best Sellers

Best Sellers

Premiering at the 2021 Berlin International Film Festival, Best Sellers is a witty and heartfelt road comedy about unlikely connection, creative legacy, and the courage to start over. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Lina Roessler and starring Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza, the film explores the tension between old-school artistry and the modern world of publishing.

Lucy Stanbridge (Plaza), a young, ambitious publisher struggling to save her late father’s company, discovers that a reclusive author still owes them a book—Harris Shaw (Caine), a once-celebrated novelist now bitter, isolated, and long past his prime. In a last-ditch effort to revive both their careers, Lucy convinces Harris to embark on a chaotic book tour across the United States, where his gruff honesty and wild behavior unexpectedly reignite his fame.

As the two clash and bond on the road, Best Sellers becomes a story about rediscovering purpose, bridging generations, and finding meaning in authenticity over spectacle. Roessler balances sharp humor with poignancy, allowing Caine and Plaza’s performances to shine with both vulnerability and bite.

With its sharp dialogue, emotional warmth, and reflections on the cost of creative passion, Best Sellers celebrates the messy, imperfect humanity behind every great story—and reminds us that it’s never too late to write a new chapter.

Screening With:

In the Backseat

Student Shorts Showcase

During an intimate date night in his parent’s car, an underachieving 30-year-old attempts to win back his long-term girlfriend.

7 mins 25s
Canada, 2020
Dir. James Salmon
Language: English

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