The movie's brainier skew -- or at least, somewhat more ambitious posture -- owes debts to German author Daniel Kehlmann, on whose book the film is based; and writer-director David Koepp, best known for the screenplays on blockbusters like "Jurassic Park" and "Mission: Impossible."

The movie's brainier skew -- or at least, somewhat more ambitious posture -- owes debts to German author Daniel Kehlmann, on whose book the film is based; and writer-director David Koepp, best known for the screenplays on blockbusters like "Jurassic Park" and "Mission: Impossible."