Dedication is a 2007 American comedy-drama film starring Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore. Written by David Bromberg, this film is actor Justin Theroux's directorial debut. The film premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It was produced by Plum Pictures. Plot Henry Roth (Billy Crudup) is an obsessive-compulsive and somewhat misanthropic writer of children's books. His illustrator and only friend, Rudy (Tom Wilkinson), dies after a fabulously successful collaboration on their series of children's books about "Marty the Beaver." Henry is under contract to produce another "Marty the Beaver" book for Christmas sales. His publisher, Arthur Planck (Bob Balaban), assigns penniless, lovelorn illustrator Lucy Reilly (Mandy Moore) to work with Henry. She's being wooed by her ex-boyfriend Jeremy (Martin Freeman), who dumped her two years ago but shows up apologetic, having dedicated his new book to her. Lucy and Henry go to their publisher's beach house to work on the book. Will love bloom amid the rocks, or is Henry a bump on Lucy's road to Jeremy? Rudy's voice, from the grave, gives Henry counsel. Cast Tom Wilkinson as Rudy Holt Billy Crudup as Henry Roth Christine Taylor as Allison Bob Balaban as Arthur Planck Catherine Lloyd Burns as Mother in Bookstore Amy Sedaris as Cassidy's Mom Cassidy Hinkle as Cassidy Mandy Moore as Lucy Reilly Jeremy Shamos as Matthew Christopher Fitzgerald as Robin Dianne Wiest as Carol Jicky Schnee as Mandy the Waitress John Ellison Conlee as Man at Lucy's Apartment Martin Freeman as Jeremy Christopher Grey Misa as Abused Kid Catherine Kellner as Abusive Mom Bobby Cannavale as Don Meyers Peter Bogdanovich as Roger Spade Justin Theroux as Lawyer on phone Production Filmed in the New York City, Wantagh, and Glen Cove. Gay pornographic actor Erik Rhodes filmed a cameo role for the film but his scenes were ultimately edited out. Release The film opened on August 24, 2007 in two theaters, earning an average of $5,958 per theater. It added two additional theaters the following week, but in its third week (September 7), it left one of the initial screens. Its fourth week also saw the loss of another screen, leaving the film to show in only two theaters (Irvine, CA, Los Angeles, CA) nationwide. However, in its fifth week, September 21, the film was added to 6 additional theaters (in Palm Desert, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Chicago, IL, Royal Oak, MI, Washington DC, Philadelphia,