? Reynolds plays Cal, a New York City lump who’s saddled himself with the responsibility of looking after a cavalry of imaginary friends, a.k.a. fanciful cartoon critters forgotten by the children who dreamt them into existence. His handsome face swallowed by hangover stubble, his famous abs concealed under a white T and suspenders, the actor slumps through the movie with an all-too-convincing air of begrudged participation.
There was a time when it would have been hard to picture Reynolds ruling the Hollywood roost. His Gen X snarkiness, honed on the ABC sitcomthen refined in broad studio comedies, rocketed him to fame while also putting a certain distance between him and a prospective audience. He always seemed to be surveying every moment from a sardonic remove — a schtick that could come across as smug.