Humpday

Humpday

Humpday movie poster. Seashel Pictures.
Directed by Lynn Shelton
Produced by Lynn Shelton
Written by Lynn Shelton
Starring Mark Duplass
Joshua Leonard
Alycia Delmore
Lynn Shelton
Trina Willard
Music by Vince Smith
Cinematography Benjamin Kasulke
Edited by Nat Sanders
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures
Release dates
  • July 10, 2009
Running time
 94 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Humpday is a 2009 American comedy film starring Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, and Alycia Delmore; and directed, produced, and written by Lynn Shelton. It premiered at the 2009 Sundance film festival. International distribution rights have been purchased by Magnolia Pictures for a mid-six figure sum.[1][2] The film opened in New York City on a limited released on July 10, 2009.[3] Much of the dialogue for the film was improvised.[4]

Plot

Two heterosexual male friends Ben (Duplass) and Andrew (Leonard) meet after having not seen each other for 10 years. During a party, they find themselves locked in a "mutual dare" situation engaging to make a gay pornography film, including anal sex, as an "art project" between two straight guys and submit it to the HUMP! film festival. They do not decide yet who will penetrate whom. Ben tells Andrew that he will discuss the project with his wife Anna (Delmore). However, as Ben begins to describe the project to Anna, she reacts skeptically at the mere mention of amateur pornography. Ben finds himself lying to Anna; he talks about the project with only vague detail, telling her that he will likely act as a behind-the-scenes assistant to the hypothetical film crew.

Later, Anna finds herself alone with Andrew and suggests that they have a drink together in an effort to get to know one another. Now drunk, the two begin discussing Ben and Andrew's art project, Andrew assuming that Ben has completely informed Anna of their intentions. After Andrew bluntly reveals that Ben will potentially have a gay experience, Anna becomes upset and confused, confronting Ben personally. The next morning, Ben insists that he still wants to go through with the project, and Anna consents.

Ben and Andrew meet in a hotel, bringing a video camera. Their attempts to have sex are prolonged by lengthy discussions and frequent analyzing of how to approach the experience. Although they film themselves kissing each other on the mouth, and hugging each other in their underpants, neither Ben nor Andrew appear comfortable becoming completely naked, let alone having sex. The two continue to talk, not sure if either one will be able to achieve an erection, and begin to question the validity of their experiment as a work of art. Ben finally suggests that they call off the project, and the two laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. Ben leaves the hotel, intending to apologize to Anna. Andrew prepares to leave shortly afterward, but not before reviewing the footage that the two have recorded.

Cast

Reception

Humpday received positive reviews from critics and has a "certified fresh" score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 132 reviews with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10. The critical consensus states " Observant and insightful, this indie comedy takes a different tack on the "bromance" but still makes a point without sermonizing."[5] It has been categorized by some reviewers as part of the mumblecore movement in indie cinema.[6]

It was an award winner at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, receiving a "Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence".[7] In 2009, The New York Times' Stephen Holden selected the movie as a "NYT Critics' Pick"[4] and New York Magazine also selected it as a "Critics' Pick".[8] The film won both "Best Director" for Shelton and "Best Actor" for both Duplass and Leonard at the 2009 Gijón International Film Festival. The film won the "John Cassavetes Award".

References

  1. ↑ Jones, Michael (2009-01-09). "Magnolia gets Shelton's 'Humpday'". Variety. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  2. ↑ Hernandez, Eugene (2009-01-09). "Magnolia Takes "Humpday"; Film Will Go From VOD to Theatrical This Summer". Indiewire. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  3. ↑ "Ultimate Movie Site". Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Holden, Stephen (July 9, 2009). "Putting a Bromance to an Erotic Test". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ "Humpday on RottenTomatoes.com". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  6. ↑ Foundas, Scott (2009-01-27). "Sundance Lays Low". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  7. ↑ Bates, Bridgett (January 25, 2009). "Awards Celebrate 2009 Storytellers". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  8. ↑ Edelstein, David (2009). "Humpday". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-13. Movie Review

External links