Bradley Cooper as Rory Jansen in the literary film The Words. (Courtesy of the Serena Films)

There’s not much one can say about Bradley Cooper’s newest movie, The Words.

Cooper plays Rory Jansen, a stuggling writer who stumbles upon a literary masterpiece in an antique shop in France.
Jansen steals the story word for word and becomes an overnight success in the process.

As far as the story goes, that would be about it.

However, the film’s director, Brian Klugman takes an artistic risk (that ultimately does not pay off) and crafts a layered storyline that follows the original author of Jansen’s stolen book and Dennis Quaid as an author as well.

Quaid’s character is the movie’s most mysterious in the film. Is he an older Rory Jansen? Or just a pedantic author who is telling Rory’s story? Unfortunately, as the movie’s end credits roll, none of these questions are answered.

Cooper does a formidable job playing Jansen. However, the role is better suited for actors like James Franco or Ewan McGregor.

The Words’ best aspect is the World War II storyline that the stolen manuscript revolves around.

Packed with emotional arcs, the story follows a head-over-heels couple who seperate after losing their child.

If only the entire movie was dedicated to this storyline.

Zoe Saldana’s turn as Jansen’s wife Dora is a great platform to show the under-worked actress’ onscreen abilities.

However, whichever way you slice it, The Words just doesn’t work.