C.O.G.
| C.O.G. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Kyle Patrick Alvarez |
| Produced by |
Cookie Carosella Stephen Nemeth Kyle Patrick Alvarez Lauren Bratman Betsy Stahl |
| Screenplay by | Kyle Patrick Alvarez |
| Based on |
'Naked' by David Sedaris |
| Starring |
Jonathan Groff Denis O'Hare Casey Wilson Dean Stockwell Troian Bellisario Corey Stoll |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Focus World |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
C.O.G. is an American drama film directed and written by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, and starring Jonathan Groff. The film is based on a David Sedaris short story from his book of collected essays, Naked. It marks the first time one of Sedaris' stories has been adapted for film. It co-stars Denis O'Hare, Casey Wilson, Dean Stockwell, Troian Bellisario, and Corey Stoll.
Plot
Based on David Sedaris' autobiographical short story, C.O.G. (which stands for Child of God) follows Samuel (Jonathan Groff), who attempts to immerse himself in "the real world," and go "off the grid" following his graduation from Yale to work at an apple farm under an alias. Out of his element and failing to fit in amongst the town's migrant workers and deeply religious locals, Samuel begins a journey that will take him deep into unfamiliar, awkward, and sometimes humorous territory as he encounters would-be benefactors and friends alike.
Cast
- Jonathan Groff as Samuel, the character is loosely based on David Sedaris as a young man when he traveled to Oregon and took on the occupation of an apple picker.
- Denis O'Hare as Jon, a deeply religious, recovering alcoholic who takes Samuel under his wing making Oregon shaped clocks
- Casey Wilson as Martha, a kind-hearted young mother and devoted Christian who allows Samuel to stay in her home.
- Dean Stockwell as Hobbs, an old farm owner who hires Samuel and gets him a job in the factory.
- Dale Dickey as Debbie, Samuel's foul-mouthed assembly line co-worker in the apple factory.
- Troian Bellisario as Jennifer, Samuel's friend who unexpectedly bails on him early on.
- Corey Stoll as Curly, the friendly forklift operator at the apple factory. Curly takes a flirtatious interest in Samuel that turns darker as the film progresses.
Reception
The film has had mostly positive reactions. Early buzz and reviews state that bringing a David Sedaris story to the big screen is both an honor and a daunting task, but director-adapter Kyle Patrick Alvarez has laid the foundation here, and there are fine performances from lead Jonathan Groff of Glee, the "oddly sexy" Corey Stoll of House of Cards, the always reliable Denis O'Hare and Dale Dickey, and what's said to be an impressive rare dramatic turn from the usually kooky comedic actress Casey Wilson of Happy Endings.
Film Threat says "The story displays the episodic nature that often works in a short story or essay but not a screenplay. Strong performances throughout and a pair of truly stellar ones make the flaws of C.O.G. easier to overlook and it continues to bolster the reputation of Alvarez as a notable young filmmaker worth watching."
Filming
Filmed on location in Portland, Oregon in October 2012.
Release
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2013, where its distribution rights were bought by Focus Features and it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the festival's U.S. Dramatic Competition.[1] It has since premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival, where it won the "Best New American Cinema" award. The film also opened the 2013 Outfest Film Festival on July 10, 2013.
The film was released on VOD and in theaters on September 20, 2013.