The Hollars is a well made family drama-comedy with several great performances but none better than Margo Martindale who is a true delight and should get an Oscar nomination out of this role. John Krasinski is a fine actor and is in his element with this material and as a director, isn’t flashy and lets the acting do the talking.
The Hollars
(2016)
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Sony Classics | PG13 – 89 min. – $30.99 | December 6, 2016
Date Published: 12/08/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 4.0/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: A struggling NYC artist, John Hollar (JOHN KRASINSKI), is forced to return to the small, middle-American town he left behind after learning his mother (MARGO MARTINDALE) has a brain tumor. Back in the house he grew up in, John is immediately swept up in the problems of his dysfunctional family — a brother (SHARLTO COPLEY) living back at home and his father (RICHARD JENKINS) whose business is failing — and a high school rival (CHARLIE DAY) now married to an ex-girlfriend (MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD) all as he faces impending fatherhood with his NYC girlfriend, Rebecca (ANNA KENDRICK). Quick Hit Review: The Hollars is a poignant if not familiar family drama that doesn’t break new ground in the genre but excels primarily due to the performances rather than the screenplay or standard direction by star John Krasinski making his second feature (Brief Interviews with Hideous Men). While Sharlto Copley, Richard Jenkins and Anna Kendrick, as well as Krasinski, were solid in their respective roles, it’s Margo Martindale who steals the show providing a wide range of emotions from happiness to despair and back again; it wouldn’t surprise me if she receives a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5 |
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This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary — Producer/Director/Actor John Krasinski and Actress Margo Martindale sit down for a reflective and informative track offering insights into the story and characters. The Family Trust: Inside The Hollars (17:44; HD) — This behind-the-scenes featurette includes on-set interviews with various members of the cast and crew glowing over the story, characters and their director. Persistent Vision: Margo Martindale (6:03; HD) is a nice profile on this charismatic actress as she reflects on her career. LA Film Festival Q&A (18:54; HD) — John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick and Margo Martindale answer audience members questions following a screening of the film. Theatrical Trailer (2:21; HD) Previews — The Meddler, The Bronze, Equity |
VIDEO – 4.0/5 |
| Sony releases The Hollars onto Blu-ray presented in its original theatrical 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 1080p high-definition transfer. Given this is a drama-comedy, the picture is bright throughout, even in the more dramatic scenes, so colors are fairly vibrant and detail is nicely defined. |
AUDIO – 4.0/5 |
| The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is pretty standard but does offer crisp, clean and clear dialogue levels mainly coming from the center channel while the front and rear channels are more or less relegated for ambient noises and/or the score by Josh Ritter. |
OVERALL – 3.75/5 |
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Overall, The Hollars is a well made family drama-comedy with several great performances but none better than Margo Martindale who is a true delight and should get an Oscar nomination out of this role. John Krasinski is a fine actor and is in his element with this material and as a director, isn’t flashy and lets the acting do the talking. The Blu-ray released through Sony offers good video and audio transfers and a OK selection of bonus features. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.