Collaborator (film)
| Collaborator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Martin Donovan |
| Produced by | Julien Favre, Luca Matrundola, Pascal Vaguelsy, Ted Hope |
| Written by | Martin Donovan |
| Starring |
Martin Donovan David Morse Olivia Williams Katherine Helmond Eileen Ryan |
| Music by | Manels Favre |
| Cinematography | Julie Kirkwood |
| Edited by | Karen Porter |
Production company |
DViant Films This Is That Productions |
| Distributed by |
Tribeca Film E1 Entertainment Canada |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Collaborator is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Martin Donovan. This film held its world premiere on July 4, 2011 at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.[1]
Plot
Donovan also stars in the film, portraying a once-successful playwright, Robert Longfellow, who is taken hostage by an [ex-con] neighbor while on a routine visit to his childhood home. Two-time Emmy-nominee David Morse plays Gus (the neighbor); a man Robert has avoided since he was a boy. The film also stars Olivia Williams; Katherine Helmond and Eileen Ryan play supporting roles. As the drama unfolds, social status, celebrity and the threat of violence converge, leaving the playwright simultaneously shattered and inspired.
Cast
- Martin Donovan ... Robert Longfellow
- David Morse ... Gus
- Olivia Williams ... Emma Stiles
- Katherine Helmond ... Irene Longfellow
- Eileen Ryan ... Betty
- Julian Richings ... Maurice LeFont
Awards and nominations
- 46th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2011)
- Best Actor Award for David Morse's role[1][2]
- Award of International Film Critics (FIPRESCI)[1][2]
Production
DViant Films and This Is That Productions produced Collaborator. The film's score was composed by Manels Favre. The soundtrack also includes a Brahms cover performed by PJ Harvey. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California, as well as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Reception
As of October 2013, the film has a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 24 reviews.[3]
The New York Times found it "earnest" and "wooden", like a one-act play "in which any visceral tension is secondary to topical debates by a captor and his prisoner".[4] The Los Angeles Times found it "disappointing" and "somber", failing to generate any tension from its thriller elements.[5]
The Globe and Mail awarded it 2.5/5; Adam Litovitz criticised some stagy elements but praised the film as a study of character.[6] The New York Post praised the performances, saying "both characters are riveting".[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Prizes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2011". 9 July 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "‘Restoration’ wins at Karlovy Vary". Variety. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ↑ "Collaborator". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ↑ Holden, Steven (July 5, 2012). "Collaborator (review)". New York Times.
- ↑ Goldstein, Gary (July 19, 2012). "Collaborator (Review)". LA Times. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ↑ Litovitz, Adam (Jul 13, 2012). "A dark buddy tale for the mancession". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ↑ Smith Nehme, Farran (July 6, 2012). "Collaborator". New York Post. Retrieved 22 October 2013.