When I'm a Moth is a 2019 American independent drama film directed by Zachary Cotler and Magdalena Zyzak and starring Addison Timlin as Hillary Clinton, then Hillary Rodham.[1][2] The film is set in 1969 and depicts Rodham during the summer she worked in Alaska following her graduation from Wellesley College.[3] Cotler has stated that the film is "not a biopic".[4]
| When I'm a Moth | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Zachary Cotler Magdalena Zyzak |
| Screenplay by | Zachary Cotler |
| Produced by | Zachary Cotler Magdalena Zyzak |
| Starring | Addison Timlin |
| Cinematography | Lyn Moncrief |
Production company | The Winter Film Company |
Release dates |
|
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English Japanese |
Cast
edit- Addison Timlin as Hillary Rodham
- TJ Kayama as Ryohei
- Toshiji Takeshima as Mitsuru
Production and release
editThe film was shot in late 2016.[5] Its world premiere was on April 12, 2019, at the San Francisco Film Festival.[6] It was released by Dark Star Pictures on August 27, 2021 after a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Reception
editThe film received polarized reviews, attracting praise from independent critics,[8][9][10][11][12] and largely negative responses from more mainstream publications.[13][14][15] The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 36% based on 11 reviews.[16]
Several critics questioned the premise of the film, with Caryn James of The Hollywood Reporter calling the movie "pointless."[17][13][18] Dennis Harvey of Variety called the film "an insufferably pretentious arthouse drama."[13] Other critics disagreed, with reviewers at Hammer to Nail and Screen-Space considering the film an "experiment" and an attempt to analyze how Hillary Clinton is seen in America respectively.[19][20]
Some critics liked the script,[21] others considered it "pretentious."[22][23] Nonetheless, the cinematography was largely praised, with Film Threat calling it "beautiful."[24] The "atmosphere" created was considered a highlight by Less Hat, Moorhead and Movie Nation.[25][26] Addison Timlin's performance was also largely praised,[27][28] though Film Threat's review stated, "It's difficult to determine whether Timlin's aggravated rigidity is intentional or if she just can't act."[29]
References
edit- ^ "Actress chosen to play young Hillary Clinton in film". WJLA-TV. March 14, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Jacobs, Matthew (March 14, 2017). "Get Ready To See A Young Hillary Clinton Gut Fish In An Upcoming Movie". HuffPost. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ McCluskey, Megan (March 15, 2017). "Biopic Actor on Playing Young Hillary Clinton: 'She's Not Afraid of Being Intimidating'". Time. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Gettell, Oliver (March 13, 2017). "Addison Timlin to play young Hillary Clinton in When I'm a Moth". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 13, 2017). "'Californication' Alum Will Play Young Hillary Clinton in 'When I'm a Moth' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "'When I'm a Moth': Film Review | San Francisco Film Festival 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. April 13, 2019. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "'Check Out the Bewildering Trailer for Indie Hillary Clinton Movie'". August 20, 2021.
- ^ "'Film Review: 'When I'm a Moth' a fascinating film inspired by a line or two from Hillary Clinton memoir'". May 6, 2019.
- ^ "'5 REASONS YOU HAVE TO WATCH 'WHEN I'M A MOTH!'". August 26, 2021.
- ^ "'When I'm a Moth: review by Mike Haberfelner'".
- ^ "'When I'm a Moth'".
- ^ "'Review: Addison Timlin is transformative as Hillary Rodham in When I'm a Moth'". August 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c Harvey, Dennis (April 27, 2019). "Film Review: 'When I'm a Moth'". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "When I'm a Moth': Film Review - The Hollywood Reporter'". The Hollywood Reporter. April 13, 2019.
- ^ "'Rotten Tomatoes: When I'm a Moth". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "When I'm a Moth - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. August 27, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ James, Caryn (April 13, 2019). "'When I'm a Moth': Film Review | San Francisco Film Festival 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ ""When I'm a Moth"". Susan Granger. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "WHEN I'M A MOTH - Reviews - Screen-Space". www.screen-space.net. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Reed, Christopher (September 1, 2021). "WHEN I'M A MOTH". Hammer to Nail. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "'Film Review: 'When I'm a Moth' a fascinating film inspired by a line or two from Hillary Clinton memoir'". May 6, 2019.
- ^ "Screen Grabs: The dazzling longevity of Fellini's '8 1/2'". 48 hills. August 27, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "When I'm a Moth Review". Pop Culture Maniacs. August 27, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "When I'm a Moth | Film Threat". August 31, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Moorhead, M. v (August 27, 2021). "Less Hat, Moorhead: HILLARY ELEGY". Less Hat, Moorhead. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Moore, Roger (August 21, 2021). "Movie Review: Young Hillary, in Alaska, pondering and questioning and gutting salmon — "When I'm a Moth"". Movie Nation. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "WHEN I'M A MOTH - Reviews - Screen-Space". www.screen-space.net. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Reed, Christopher (September 1, 2021). "WHEN I'M A MOTH". Hammer to Nail. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "When I'm a Moth | Film Threat". August 31, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.