Collaborator is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Martin Donovan. The film had its world premiere on July 4, 2011, at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.[2] The film stars Donovan and the two-time Emmy-nominee David Morse, with Olivia Williams, Melissa Auf der Maur, Katherine Helmond and Eileen Ryan in supporting roles
| Collaborator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Martin Donovan |
| Written by | Martin Donovan |
| Produced by | Julien Favre Luca Matrundola Pascal Vaguelsy Ted Hope |
| Starring | Martin Donovan David Morse Olivia Williams Melissa Auf der Maur Katherine Helmond Eileen Ryan |
| Cinematography | Julie Kirkwood |
| Edited by | Karen Porter |
| Music by | Manels Favre |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Tribeca Film (United States) Entertainment One (International)[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editRobert Longfellow, a once-successful playwright, is taken hostage at gunpoint by an ex-con neighbor, Gus, while on a routine visit to his childhood home. Longfellow has avoided Gus since he was a boy. As the drama unfolds, social status, celebrity, politics, and the threat of violence converge, leaving the playwright simultaneously shattered and inspired.
Cast
edit- Martin Donovan as Robert Longfellow
- David Morse as Gus
- Olivia Williams as Emma Stiles
- Melissa Auf der Maur as Alice Longfellow
- Katherine Helmond as Irene Longfellow
- Eileen Ryan as Betty
- Julian Richings as Maurice LeFont
Awards and nominations
edit- 46th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2011)
- 1st Canadian Screen Awards (2013)
- Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role — David Morse[4]
Production
editDViant 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 and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Reception
editAs of January 2023[update], the film has a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 26 reviews.[5]
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".[6] The Los Angeles Times found it "disappointing" and "somber", failing to generate any tension from its thriller elements.[7]
The Globe and Mail awarded it 2.5/5 and Adam Litovitz criticised some stagy elements but praised the film as a study of character.[8] The New York Post praised the performances, saying "both characters are riveting".[9]
References
edit- ^ Adams, Mark (5 July 2011). "Collaborator". Screen International. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Prizes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2011". July 9, 2011.
- ^ a b "'Restoration' wins at Karlovy Vary". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Award nominations". CBC News. January 15, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
- ^ "Collaborator". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
- ^ Holden, Steven (July 5, 2012). "Collaborator (review)". New York Times.
- ^ Goldstein, Gary (July 19, 2012). "Collaborator (Review)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ Litovitz, Adam (July 13, 2012). "A dark buddy tale for the mancession". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ Smith Nehme, Farran (July 6, 2012). "Collaborator". New York Post. Retrieved October 22, 2013.