Watch The Words

The Words is a romantic piece that was written and directed by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal. Starring Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde, the film also features Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Ben Barnes and Nora Arnezeder. The story follows writer Clayton Hammond (Dennis Quaid) who has become a famous author. During a public reading of his book, The Words, he reveals the following details about the book.

The story centers on Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), who is an aspiring novelist. Rory lives in New York with girlfriend, Dora (played by Zoe Saldana). There he tries unsuccessfully to get his first novel published.

Rory and Dora marry. During the honeymoon in Paris, Dora gets Rory an old briefcase. Inside happens to be a very old, but extraordinarily well written manuscript. Rory retypes the manuscript into his computer in an effort to learn from the writing style. Dora discovers the novel and encourages Rory to submit it since she assumes he wrote it.

Rory is then offered a contract which he accepts. The book is a huge hit and he becomes famous. Next, Rory encounters an old man (played by Jeremy Irons) in Central Park, revealing that he is the actual author of the manuscript.

The old man had lost the manuscript when it was left behind in a briefcase on a train. He and his wife at the time divorce. After telling Rory the entire story, he leaves him on the park bench.

During the reading, Hammond meets an aspiring writer, Daniella (played by Olivia Wilde) who wants to interview him. He agrees to meet her after the reading. Then he continues the reading to the audience.

Hammond's public reading of the book ends with him telling everyone they must read the book to find out the ending. Daniella accompanies Hammond to his apartment. She pressures him about the book and how the story was created. Hammond finally explains that Rory tells the truth about who created the story. Rory also wants to credit the old man as author, but his publisher insists that he should instead give the old man a share of profits. The old man refuses to take any money.

Hammond reveals that shortly thereafter, the old man dies. Rory is unable to move on from the experience, tormented until he writes another book that reveals the manuscript's true story.

Daniella kisses Hammond and he pulls away since he is reluctant to become involved with anyone after his divorce. Then he recalls his characters - Rory is appeased by Dora when she tells him everything will be alright. This suggests that his book is autobiographical.