I'm Reed Fish

Cinematic calling cards la Antwone Fisher are risky ventures, and despite its overall affability, this similarly eponymous autobiographical indie brain fart never quite pays off. Newbie screenwriter Fish (played by Baruchel) and first-time feature director Adler turn the story of Fish’s small-town romantic and career dilemmas into warm, sitcom-quality cheese. But even some nice performances (Fisk is especially appealing as Reed’s love interest) and a go-nowhere midfilm meta shift don’t propel the movie beyond its pat life-lesson intentions. (Opens Fri; Quad.)—Mark Holcomb