My Blind Brother is a 2016 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Sophie Goodhart. The film is based on the director's short film which was nominated for the Palme d'Or in 2003.[1] It stars Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Zoe Kazan and Charlie Hewson. The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 12, 2016.[2] The film was released on September 23, 2016, as a limited release and through video on demand by Orion Pictures and Starz Digital.[3]
| My Blind Brother | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sophie Goodhart |
| Written by | Sophie Goodhart |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Eric Lin |
| Edited by | Jennifer Lee |
| Music by | Ian Hultquist |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Premise
editAn overachieving blind man and his unaccomplished brother compete for the same woman.
Cast
edit- Adam Scott as Robbie
- Nick Kroll as Bill
- Jenny Slate as Rose
- Zoe Kazan as Francie
- Charlie Hewson as GT
- Maryann Nagel as Jane
- Greg Violand as Phill
- Talia Tabin as Micia
- Heidi Lewandowski as Clarese Singer
Production
editMy Blind Brother was filmed in Northeast Ohio, with one of the water scenes was shot on Sheffield Lake, Ohio.[4] The final "cut" of the film was made on Thursday at Lorain's Lakeview Park.[4] The film took a month to produce.[4]
Release
editThe film premiered at the South by Southwest festival on March 12, 2016.[5][2] On March 15, 2016, it was reported that Starz had acquired distribution rights to the film.[6] The film was scheduled to be released on September 23, 2016, in a limited release and through video on demand.[3]
Reception
editOn review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 81% based on 36 reviews, with an average ranking of 6.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "My Blind Brother takes a refreshingly character-driven approach to its familiar sibling rivalry while adding a somewhat unexpected twist."[7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 60 out of a 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]
Andrew Barker of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing that the film "takes an ostensibly dark premise — a man of few qualities attempts to steal his overachieving blind brother’s girlfriend — and turns it into a featherweight frolic as winningly unambitious as its central couple played by Nick Kroll and Jenny Slate."[9]
Ben Kenigsberg of The New York Times called the film "A thoroughly harmless comedy that spaces its one-liners a bit widely".[10] In a review for The Seattle Times, Tom Keogh praised the film's "love-hate energy", especially when it comes to "Robbie's condescension [and] Bill's passive-aggressiveness".[11]
Dmitry Samarov of Chicago Reader wrote "Zoe Kazan provides the only compelling moments... yet playing the normal one among such a group of narcissists is a thankless task".[12] Scott Marks of San Diego Reader said that "First-time director Sophie Goodhart coaxes a grown-up performance out of Kroll, and Scott's smarmy contentiousness has never been put to better use".[13]
According to Jesse Hassenger of The A.V. Club, "[the film] is slight and a little easy, but it's powered by sincere affection".[14] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter opinion was that the film is "Enjoyable, if not a laugh riot".[15]
Kevin P. Sullivan of Entertainment Weekly had a different take on the film. His response was "Though My Blind Brother clearly isn't aiming for the feel-good realm, the emotions never ring true enough to make any of the purposely flawed leads relatable, never mind likable".[16]
References
edit- ^ Goldstein, Gary (September 22, 2016). "Review: Dark comedy 'My Blind Brother' ably balances love triangle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "My Blind Brother". South by Southwest. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Brayson, Johnny (August 23, 2016). "'My Blind Brother' Might Be the Most Daring Comedy of the Year". Bustle.
- ^ a b c O'Connor, Clint (June 12, 2015). "'My Blind Brother' movie wraps Northeast Ohio shoot, heads into post-production". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (March 8, 2016). "'My Blind Brother' Clip: See Adam Scott Punch A Biker". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (March 15, 2016). "SXSW: Adam Scott's 'My Blind Brother' Sells to Starz (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ^ "My Blind Brother (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "My Blind Brother (2016)". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Barker, Andrew (March 14, 2016). "SXSW Film Review: 'My Blind Brother'". Variety.
- ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (September 23, 2016). "Review: 'My Blind Brother', Who Is Also a Major Pain". The New York Times. p. C6. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Keogh, Tom (September 22, 2016). "'My Blind Brother': a lightweight comedy of brotherly love-hate". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Samarov, Dmitry. "My Blind Brother". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "My Blind Brother". Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Hassenger, Jesse (September 22, 2016). "My Blind Brother offers a low-key Parks and Recreation reunion". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ DeFore, John (March 15, 2016). "'My Blind Brother': SXSW Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "My Blind Brother: EW review". Entertainment Weekly. September 22, 2016.