This Is Martin Bonner is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Chad Hartigan. It stars Paul Eenhoorn in the title role, with Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, and Demetrius Grosse in supporting roles. It revolves around a middle-aged divorced man who leaves his old life behind and relocates to Reno, Nevada, where he strikes up an unlikely friendship with a recently released ex-convict.
| This Is Martin Bonner | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Chad Hartigan |
| Written by | Chad Hartigan |
| Produced by | Cherie Saulter |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Sean McElwee |
| Edited by | Julio C. Perez IV |
| Music by | Keegan DeWitt |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Monterey Media |
Release dates |
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Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $42,000[1] |
| Box office | $13,888[2] |
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2013, where it won the Best of NEXT Audience Award. It was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 14, 2013, by Monterey Media. It received positive reviews from critics, and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 29th Independent Spirit Awards.
Plot
editMartin Bonner has just moved to Nevada from Maryland, leaving behind his two adult children and a life he spent more than two decades building. He is there working at a new job as the volunteer coordinator for a non-profit organization that helps prisoners make the transition from incarceration to freedom in the best way possible. Despite his struggles, he fought on and so this is Martin’s first job in two years and he has recently declared bankruptcy.
At the same time, Travis Holloway, a prisoner in the program, is being released after serving twelve years. Sent back into the world with nothing, Travis also finds life in Reno difficult to adjust to, despite the help from his program sponsor, Steve Helms.
The stories of Martin and Travis slowly converge, as these two meet and find that they have much in common, not the least of which is an unspoken need for encouragement and support. Their unlikely friendship blossoms but is put to the test when Travis betrays Martin's trust in order to reunite with his estranged daughter.
Cast
edit- Paul Eenhoorn as Martin Bonner
- Richmond Arquette as Travis Holloway
- Sam Buchanan as Diana Holloway
- Demetrius Grosse as Locy
- Kristin Slaysman as April
- Robert Longstreet as Steve Helms
- Jan Haley as Angela Helms
Production
editThis Is Martin Bonner was loosely inspired by the experiences of Chad Hartigan's father, who had to move to a new state for a job.[3] The film was produced by Cherie Saulter for 600 West Productions in association with Stay Glorious, while Nick Cucinella served as an executive producer.[4] It was shot on location in the Nevada cities of Reno and Sparks, the latter being the hometown of Hartigan's mother. The Red One camera was used for the shoot, which took 16 days in November 2011.[5]
Release
editThis Is Martin Bonner premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Best of NEXT.[6][7] Throughout the year, it screened at the Oxford Film Festival,[8] the Florida Film Festival,[9] the Nashville Film Festival,[10] the Maryland Film Festival, the Wisconsin Film Festival,[11] and the River Run Film Festival.[12] At the Sarasota Film Festival, it won the On Golden Pond Award for Artistic Accomplishment.[13]
In February 2013, Monterey Media acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[4][14] It was theatrically released in New York City on August 14, 2013, and in Los Angeles on August 16, followed by a VOD release on August 20.[15]
Reception
editOn Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 93% based on reviews from 30 critics, with an average rating of 7.85/10. The site's consensus reads: "Solemn but heartfelt, This Is Martin Bonner is a slow-burning drama with an outstanding performance by Paul Eenhoorn as the title character."[16] On Metacritic it has a score of 71 out of 100 based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]
John Anderson of Variety described it as "A mood piece, a character study and an exercise in poetic gesture possessed of a sort of evanescent, secular spirituality. Helmer Chad Hartigan's second feature is Americana of a very immediate sort, a tale of redemption that may leave its viewers with an uncanny sense of peace."[18] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Acted with smart restraint and shot with corresponding composure, this is a somber drama built out of small but acutely observed moments of naturalistic behavior."[19] The New York Times reviewer Nicolas Rapold commented, "It's gratifying to see the care taken with his characters, though it would be no betrayal of them for Mr. Hartigan to flesh out their world and their lives further."[20]
Accolades
editThis Is Martin Bonner won the 2013 Sundance Best of Next audience award[21] and the 2014 Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award.[22]
References
edit- ^ "7 Cool Things We Learned Backstage at the Film Independent Spirit Awards". Film Independent. April 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ "This Is Martin Bonner". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Hartigan, Chad (January 28, 2013). "Sundance Futures: 'This is Martin Bonner' Director Chad Hartigan, Winner of Best of NEXT". IndieWire (Interview). Interviewed by Bryce J. Renninger. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b McNary, Dave (February 28, 2013). "Monterey Acquires Rights to 'Bonner'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Macaulay, Scott (September 2, 2013). "Day 10 of 16: Chad Hartigan and This is Martin Bonner". Filmmaker. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ "This Is Martin Bonner". Sundance.org. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Sundance Film Festival Awards". Sundance Film Blog. Sundance Film Festival Blog. January 26, 2013. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ "Spotlight Screenings Revealed". Oxford Film Guide. February 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ "The complete Festival film lineup". Florida Film Guide. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
- ^ "Want to do the 2013 Nashville Film Festival in just five films?". Nashville Scene. April 18, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "Wisconsin Film Guide". Wisconsin Film Guide. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ "River Run Film Guide". River Run Film Guide. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ "Sarasota Film Guide". Sarasota Film Guide. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana (February 28, 2013). "Sundance 2013: Monterey Media Nabs U.S. Rights to 'This Is Martin Bonner'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Tully, Michael (August 14, 2013). "A Conversation With Chad Hartigan (THIS IS MARTIN BONNER)". Hammer to Nail. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ "This Is Martin Bonner (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ "This Is Martin Bonner". Metacritic. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ Anderson, John (January 19, 2013). "This Is Martin Bonner". Variety.
- ^ Rooney, David This is Martin Bonner Sundance Review The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Nicolas Rapold (August 13, 2013). "Counselor and Ex-Con, Adjusting to New Worlds". The New York Times.
- ^ Renninger, Bryce J. (January 28, 2013). "Sundance Futures: 'This is Martin Bonner' Director Chad Hartigan, Winner of Best of NEXT". Indiewire. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (March 1, 2014). "Independent Spirit Awards 2014: The Complete Winner's List". Us Magazine. Retrieved January 4, 2015.