- Actors: Anna Kendrick, John Krasinski, Richard Jenkins, Margo Martindale, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Director: John Krasinski
- Producers: John Krasinski, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn, Allyson Seegers
- Language: English
- Subtitles: Mandarin Chinese, English, Japanese
- Dubbed: Japanese
- Region: All Regions
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Rated: PG-13
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Release Date: December 6, 2016
- Digital Copy Expiration Date: December 31, 2019
- Run Time: 88 minutes
Considering how
innovative actor John Krasinski’s directorial debut was, I was surprised to
find his second attempt somewhat derivative. With Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, he had the near-impossible task
of adapting a collection of short stories by David Foster Wallace into a
coherent narrative, and he succeeded with artistry and skill, which is why The Hollars feels so blandly uninspired.
Instead of trying to do something new, Krasinski has chosen to work in a
narrative that has all but become the official genre of independent filmmaking:
the dysfunctional family dramedy.
Whether it is a
road trip film, like Little Miss Sunshine
or Nebraska,
or a return home for a celebration or a tragedy, from Garden State to Captain Fantastic,
these movies made free of the studio system have become as derivative as any
mainstream genre. Krasinski jumps into the crowded pool of quirky family
dysfunction with ease, as both an actor and filmmaker, though it ends up
feeling even more formulaic than the sitcom format that he first became known
for. All of the trappings of the American independent film industry seemed
crammed into this film, and the only saving grace is the enjoyment that comes
from watching the cast work, however derivative the material may feel.
Landing directly in the “returning home for a
tragedy” formula, The Hollars follows
struggling NYC artist John Hollar (Krasinski) as he travels home, to a small
town in Middle America, upon hearing news of
his mother’s illness. The family matriarch, Sally Hollar (Margo Martindale), is
the glue that holds the family together, especially with the news of her
illness. Her husband (Richard Jenkins) is a blubbering mess, when he isn’t bickering
with John’s brother, Ron (Sharlto Copley), who is in a constant state of
arrested development while coming to terms with his divorce and being separated
from his daughters.
Along with the
family dysfunction, John is going through his own personal struggles, which are
inevitably resolved through the time he spends in his hometown. Although he has
a pregnant girlfriend (Anna Kendrick) waiting for him in NYC, John is comically
pulled into a reunion with his childhood sweetheart (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)
when invited to dinner by her new husband (Charlie Day), who also happens to be
his mother’s nurse. These situations begin to feel more like showcases for the
impressive cast that Krasinski was able to assemble than necessary to the
narrative. While they are all entirely capable of carrying each scene to
completion with enough skill and dedication, the individual scenes don’t always
work together as a whole.
For those who
haven’t watched an obscene amount of films, as I have, there is likely to be
more enjoyment to be found in The Hollars.
Others will likely find distraction in the skill of the performers, even if the
overall product is not as memorable as one might hope. At the very least, Krasinski has gathered an enjoyable cast to watch, and given himself another opportunity to play another likeable everyday man.
The Blu-ray release of
the film comes with a Digital copy of the film, as well as the extras included
on the disc. Along with two featurettes that seem focused on Martindale’s
performance above all else, there is commentary track with Krasinski and the
co-star. Martindale and Krasinski are also a part of the LA Film Festival
Q&A which is included in the extras, with Kendrick joining them.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
Special Features: 6/10
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