The Hollars

Plot

Struggling New York City graphic novelist John Hollar (John Krasinski) learns that his mother, Sally (Margo Martindale) is diagnosed with a brain tumor, and joins his brother, Ron (Sharlto Copley), and father, Don (Richard Jenkins), by her side. Her attending physician Dr. Fong (Randall Park) tells them that the tumor is scheduled to be removed later that week. John is also facing the birth of his first child with his girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick). Ron is spying on his ex-wife Stacey (Ashley Dyke), who he divorced years ago, but he is confronted by her new partner Reverend Dan (Josh Groban). John meets his high school classmate and mother's nurse Jason (Charlie Day), who married Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), his ex-girlfriend. Jason rightly suspects that Gwen only married him after becoming pregnant with their child, and still has feelings for John.

Don is forced to work at the wine shop to support his failing plumbing business. At night, Ron sneaks inside Stacey's house to see his two daughters, but is subsequently arrested by the police when Stacey finds out. He is immediately bailed when Rev. Dan learns how much he loves his kids. One day before her operation, John and Sally sneak out of the hospital to enjoy her last meal. On the day of the operation, the doctors successfully remove the tumor, but later, she dies with Don at her side. Don emotionally reads a letter Sally wrote before she died. Rev. Dan marries John and Rebecca, and later, in the middle of their mother's funeral, John, Ron, and Don rush Rebecca to the hospital as she goes into labor.

Cast

Production

On May 5, 2014, it was announced John Krasinski would direct the film, with Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Margo Martindale and Richard Jenkins joining the cast. Principal photography and production began on July 15, 2014, and ended on August 15, 2014. Principal photography took place on location in Mississippi, including Brookhaven, Jackson and Canton. According to Krasinski, editing was completed on January 16, 2015. Josh Ritter composed the film's score.

Release

The Hollars premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2016. On January 29, 2016, Sony Pictures Classics acquired all rights to its United States and Asia release. The film was released on August 26, 2016, by Sony Pictures Classics.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 45% based on 87 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Hollars gathers an impressive assortment of talented stars; unfortunately, it's all in service of a story that's been played out more effectively in countless other indie dramedies." Metacritic gives the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".