The Intervention (film)

Plot

A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was orchestrated to host an "intervention" on their marriage.

Production

On July 20, 2015, it was announced that Clea DuVall would direct and star in a film she'd written, and that actors Cobie Smulders, Melanie Lynskey, Jason Ritter, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Ben Schwartz and Alia Shawkat had signed on to co-star. It was revealed that DuVall would also executive produce the film, alongside Mel Eslyn, while David Bernon would serve as an executive producer through Burn Later Productions. Sam Slater and Paul Bernon were also named as producers, under the Burn Later banner, along with Sev Ohanian. In December 2015, it was announced that Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara had composed the score of the film, making her film composing debut. The duo also wrote and performed a song for the film titled "Fade Out".

DuVall has since revealed that she wrote the part of Annie, the film's central character, specifically for Melanie Lynskey.

Filming

The film was shot in Savannah, Georgia in the summer of 2015 over the course of 18 days.

Release

The Intervention had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2016. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Paramount Pictures had acquired worldwide distribution rights, with Samuel Goldwyn Films co-distributing. The film screened at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 28, 2016, and served as the opening night film for Outfest on July 7, 2016. It was released in a limited release and through video on demand on August 26, 2016.

Critical reception

The Intervention received mostly positive reviews from critics. It currently holds an 80% "fresh" rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 40 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 57 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Dennis Harvey of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing "Clea DuVall’s debut as writer-director breaks no new ground in themes or execution, but is pleasingly accomplished on all levels." Kate Erbland of Indiewire gave the film a B+ rating; "DuVall's direction is crisp and smart, always with an eye on keeping the story together but [also] a willingness to make space for gags." Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "As an unfussy, dryly amusing and sincere look at men and women pondering emotional pivots in their lives, it's plenty likable." Moira Macdonald of The Seattle Times called the film "confident and accomplished ... The cast immediately seems to bond as a group, with each playing a distinctive, recognizable character ... DuVall's skillful ensemble drama makes you think, pleasantly, of a new-generation The Big Chill."

"[Melanie] Lynskey is the standout", wrote Ethan Anderton of Slashfilm, "delivering a performance that is genuine, funny and touching all at the same time."

Awards

For her portrayal of the character Annie, Melanie Lynskey received a Special Jury Award for Individual Performance at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where the film was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.