Rocket Science (film)
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| Rocket Science | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Jeffrey Blitz |
| Produced by | Sean Welch |
| Written by | Jeffrey Blitz |
| Starring | Reece Thompson Anna Kendrick |
| Editing by | Yana Gorskaya |
| Distributed by | Picturehouse HBO Films |
| Release date(s) | January 19, 2007 (Sundance) August 10, 2007 |
| Running time | 101 min. |
| Country |  |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6 million |
| Gross revenue | Domestic $714,943 Worldwide $753,965 |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
Rocket Science is a 2007 comedy-drama film concerning high school debate. It stars Reece Thompson as Hal Hefner. The film opened in limited release in the United States on August 10, 2007. The film won the Dramatic Directing prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It was written and directed by Jeffrey Blitz, the director of Spellbound. In regards to making a "teen film," Blitz was very specific in that he noted "the only way I was going to do a teen movie is if I felt like I could try to be more honest about what the actual experience of being a teenager is like."[1]
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson) is an ordinary and shy 15 year-old boy who's struggling to make it through the perils of high school. On top of his parents' recent divorce and an obsessive-compulsive, kleptomaniac older brother, Hal has a stuttering problem. In spite of this speech impediment, the high school debate team star, Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick), invites Hal to join the team. Stumbling his way to the championship, Hal falls in love, gains confidence and ultimately, realizes that love and life should not be rocket science.
[edit] Cast
- Reece Thompson as Hal Hefner
- Anna Kendrick as Ginny Ryerson
- Nicholas D'Agosto as Ben Wekselbaum
- Vincent Piazza as Earl Hefner
- Aaron Yoo as Heston
- Denis O'Hare as Mr. Hefner
- Lisbeth Bartlett as Mrs. Hefner
- Michael Kusnir as Flemming
- Josh Kay as Lewis Garrles
- Maury Ginsberg as Lewinsky
- Margo Martindale as Coach Lumbly
- Jonah Hill as Lionel - Junior Philosopher
- Carol Florence as Mrs. Ryerson
- David DeBoy as Mr. Ryerson
- Herb Merrick as Mr. Garrles
- Dan Cashman as Narrator
[edit] Real life connection
Like the character of Hal, director/writer Jeffrey Blitz also had a stutter when he was a teenager and joined his high school debate team. Unlike Hal, he went on to be a success and won prizes.[citation needed]
[edit] DVD release
The DVD was released on January 29, 2008.[2]
- Special features:
- Featurette
- Music video
