John Krasinski takes on the role of both actor and director with genuine sincerity in his second directorial endeavor, “The Hollars.” Honest performances from a critically acclaimed cast, coupled with an earnest script from James C. Strouse, make “The Hollars” one hilarious and bittersweet film that will pull at your heart-strings.
John Hollar (John Krasinski), a struggling NYC graphic novel artist, is told by his pregnant girlfriend Becca (Anna Kendrick) that he needs to fly home because his mother Sally (Margo Martindale) has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Upon John’s return home, he finds that all the drama and dysfunction he left behind are not only still present, but have increased exponentially. We meet John’s screw-up, unemployed divorcee brother Ron (Sharlto Copley) and his overly emotional and soon-to-be bankrupt father, Don (Richard Jenkins). Jason (Charlie Day), the feisty nurse treating his mother, happens to be married John’s high school girlfriend Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who is still very much in love with him. Throughout the rollercoaster of each family member’s own personal crisis, Sally remains the anchor of her family in spite of her own regrets and fears.
Ok, real talk 2016. I read a few reviews before seeing this film. Why all the hate? (I’m looking at you Variety). I found this film to be DE-LIGHT-FUL! I laughed. I cried. I never looked at my watch. (yeah I know it’s 2016, we have clocks on our phones and no one wears watches… YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN). Sure, one could argue that a situational family dramedy has been done before, and perhaps some of the plot lines could be perceived as weak or superfluous. And yes, it reminded me of a less pretentious/sulky “Garden State” minus the obnoxious manic-pixie-dream-girl trope. BUT I DIGRESS… Let’s get to why this movie is legit.
Number one– John Krasinski is extremely charming. Number two– The ensemble cast is an absolute revelation. They navigate the challenging comedy-to-drama hairpin turns of Jim Strouse’s script with style and grace. They are never a caricature or overly archetypal, but rather, they approach their characters with sincerity and a realness that only true professionals can bring to the table. Number three (and most importantly)– This film does such a superb job of showcasing a truly sad but very real situation and combining it with the absurdity of family dysfunction. It is so relatable. We all can relate to having weird, messed-up families. We can all sympathize with loved ones getting sick. We have all dealt with getting the wind knocked out of us when life GETS REAL, whether it’s a failed business or relationship or a dream that just never came true and NOW it’s time to grow up.
Krasinski successfully tells a story that surpasses the trope of just another generic family dramedy and brings us a wacky but heartfelt film. “The Hollars” will strike a personal chord with the audience by resonating as authentic, funny, and tragic, and these realistic aspects are something that we have all experienced in some capacity in our own lives.
“The Hollars” is rated PG-13 for brief language and some thematic material. 105 minutes. Opens Friday, 8/26, at The Landmark.
