The Favor (2006 film)

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The Favor
Directed by Eva S. Aridjis
Produced by Eva S. Aridjis
Howard Gertler
Heather Greene
Lesa Greenfield
Written by Eva S. Aridjis
Starring Frank Wood
Ryan Donowho
Paige Turco
Isidra Vega
Laura Breckenridge
Sterling K. Brown
Music by Danny Hole
Cinematography Andrij Parekh
Editing by Mathilde Bonnefoy
Distributed by Dark Night Productions
7th Art Releasing
Release date(s) 2006-10-15
Running time 110 min.
Country United States
Language English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

The Favor is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Eva S. Aridjis. The film is about a photographer living in New Jersey who gets a phone call from a woman who broke his heart 25 years ago. The film premiered October 15, 2006 at the Morelia Film Festival in Mexico and opened in Mexico on October 19, 2007. It opened in New York City on May 2, 2008.[1]

Contents

[edit] Cast

  • Frank Wood as Lawrence
  • Ryan Donowho as Johnny
  • Paige Turco as Caroline
  • Isidra Vega as Mariana
  • Paul Lazar as Mr. Smith
  • Michael Higgins as Mr. Ritter
  • Luke Robertson as Young Lawrence
  • Laura Breckenridge as Young Caroline
  • Wally Dunn as Dr. Charles
  • Sterling K. Brown as Policeman #1
  • Jesse Kelly as Carter
  • Aldo Perez as Harris
  • Marceline Hugot as History Teacher
  • Aurelia Thierree as Photo Shop Girl
  • Richard M. Davidson as Principal Foreman

[edit] Synopsis

The film begins with two high school sweethearts, Lawrence (played by Luke Roberston) and Caroline (played by Laura Breckenridge). They are about to go off to college, but claim they will stay together nonetheless. The film then jumps forward 25 years, and Lawrence (played by Frank Wood) is living back in his hometown, Bayonne, New Jersey, and is a photographer who photographs pets, as well as criminals at the local police station. He receives a surprise phone call from Caroline (played by Paige Turco), who has recently come back home in order to care for her sick father and who is divorced and has a troubled teenage son Johnny (played by Ryan Donowho). Caroline and Lawrence go on a date and rekindle their relationship, but shortly afterwards she dies in a freak accident. Johnny's father Harris (played by Aldo Perez) does not want to take care of him, and he will be going into foster care. When Johnny has a seizure at his mother's funeral, Lawrence decides to adopt him. The bulk of the film is about Lawrence and Johnny, and how Lawrence tries to be a father to Johnny while Johnny rejects him. Johnny also has a relationship with a neighborhood girl, Mariana (played by Isidra Vega), and problems with the local drug dealer Carter (played by Jesse Kelly).

[edit] Production

Howard Gertler was the executive producer for the film. Eva S. Aridjis and Heather Greene served as co-producers. Lesa Greenfield was the line producer. Edwige Geminel was in charge of production design. Danny Hole provided original music for the film as well as art direction. Tere Duncan was the costume designer.[2] The film was shot on 35mm[3] in New Jersey, at locations including Cape May and Bayonne High School.[4] Production of the film began November 5, 2004 and ended December 14, 2004.[5] The animals in the film were provided by Paws for Effect.[6] The soundtrack includes songs from bands such as The Cure, The Troggs[3], Blondie, Interpol, The Stone Roses, The Cascades, Chris Montez, and Nikki Sudden.

[edit] Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 39% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 18 reviews.[7] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 49 out of 100, based on 7 reviews — indicating mixed or average reviews.[8]

Justin Chang of Variety wrote "A pair of beautifully mismatched lead performances elevate a predictable drama to unexpected resonance in The Favor." Chang called it a "tearjerker [that] should travel well on the festival circuit, though its modest aspirations and execution will probably draw more cable than [distributor] attention."[3]

Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times wrote that the film "is exactly one-third of a good movie" — speaking of Frank Wood's performance — which she called "beautifully modulated and modest." Catsoulis said the film is a "dreary, interminable drama" with a "limp story line."[9]

Mark Olsen of The Los Angeles Times wrote that "The Favor is that rare film that at every turn exhibits good taste and a sense of restraint."

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Favor (2006) - Release dates. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  2. ^ The Favor (2006) - Full cast and crew. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  3. ^ a b c Justin Chang (2006-06-11). The Favor. Variety. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  4. ^ The Favor (2006) - Filming locations. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  5. ^ The Favor (2006) - Box office / business. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  6. ^ The Favor (2006) - Company credits. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  7. ^ The Favor Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  8. ^ Favor, The (2008): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  9. ^ Jeannette Catsoulis (2008-05-02). A Photographer of Pets and Perps. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.

[edit] External links