Farewell, Dorothy Parker
A socially awkward movie critic finds her moxie in Meister’s winsome tale. Violet Epps might pen scathing movie reviews, but in real life she’s too timid to break up with her louse of a boyfriend or stand up to a snippy assistant at work. When Violet visits the Algonquin Hotel, the favorite haunt of her idol, Dorothy Parker, she’s shocked to discover the spirit of Dorothy Parker is still hanging around, connected to the hotel via its legendary guest book. Violet absconds with the book, taking it, and thereby her idol, home. The feisty and persistent Mrs. Parker urges Violet to buck up and fight for what she wants. Under Dorothy’s guidance, Violet manages to dump her boyfriend, make a move on her cute kung fu instructor, and put the mouthy assistant in her place. But Violet’s biggest challenge lies in her fight for the custody of her 13-year-old niece, Delaney, the daughter of her beloved older sister, Ivy, who died in a car crash with her husband. Meister’s third outing, following The Other Life (2011), is magical fun. --Kristine Huntley