The Intervention (film)

The Intervention

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Clea DuVall
Produced by
Written by Clea DuVall
Starring
Music by Sara Quin
Cinematography Polly Morgan
Edited by Tamara Meem
Production
company
Burn Later Productions
Distributed by
Release dates
Running time
88 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $32,919[1]

The Intervention is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Clea DuVall in her directorial debut. The film stars DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Jason Ritter, Ben Schwartz, Alia Shawkat and Cobie Smulders. The Intervention had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2016.[2] It was released in a limited release and through video on demand on August 26, 2016, by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Paramount Pictures.[3]

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.

Cast

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.[4] 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.[4] 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.[5] The duo also wrote and performed a song for the film titled "Fade Out".[6][7]

DuVall has since revealed that she wrote the part of Annie, the film's central character, specifically for Melanie Lynskey.[8]

Filming

The film was shot in Savannah, Georgia in the summer of 2015 over the course of 18 days.[9][10][11][12]

Release

The Intervention had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2016.[2][13] Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Paramount Pictures had acquired worldwide distribution rights, with Samuel Goldwyn Films co-distributing.[14][15][16] The film screened at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 28, 2016,[17] and served as the opening night film for Outfest on July 7, 2016.[18] It was released in a limited release and through video on demand on August 26, 2016.[19]

Critical reception

The Intervention received mostly positive reviews from critics. It currently holds a 79% "Fresh" rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[20] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 57 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[21]

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."[22] 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."[23] 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."[24] 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."[25]

"[Melanie] Lynskey is the standout", wrote Ethan Anderton of Slashfilm, "delivering a performance that is genuine, funny and touching all at the same time."[26]

Awards

For her portrayal of the character Annie, Melanie Lynskey received a Special Jury Award for Individual Performance at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival,[27] where the film was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.[28]

References

  1. "The Intervention". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "The Intervention". Sundance.org. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  3. "40 Films to See This Summer". The Film Stage. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  4. 1 2 McNary, Dave (July 20, 2015). "Clea DuVall Making Directorial Debut With Film Starring Cobie Smulders, Melanie Lynskey". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  5. Shoukri, Tarek (December 10, 2015). "Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara to Compose Film Score for Sundance Premiere 'The Intervention'". Indiewire.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  6. Calvario, Liz (August 23, 2016). "Tegan and Sara's 'Fade Out' Video Includes Footage From Indie Film 'The Intervention'". Indiewire.com. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  7. Grow, Kory (August 22, 2016). "Hear Tegan and Sara's Bittersweet New Relationship Song 'Fade Out'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  8. Bendix, Trish (August 26, 2016). "Clea DuVall and Melanie Lynskey on "The Intervention" and the legacy of "But I'm a Cheerleader"". AfterEllen. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  9. Olsen, Mark (August 18, 2016). "Why Clea DuVall cast Melanie Lynskey and other pals in her directorial debut 'The Intervention'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  10. "The Intervention". Burn Later Productions. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  11. Sandberg, Patrick (May 16, 2016). "Stars of Sundance". V Magazine. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  12. J. Horowitz, Steven (August 12, 2016). "Clea DuVall Reunites with Natasha Lyonne in Directorial Debut, The Intervention". Out Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  13. "SUNDANCE INSTITUTE COMPLETES FEATURE FILM LINEUP FOR 2016 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL". sundance.org. December 7, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  14. Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 28, 2016). "Paramount Acquires 'The Intervention' In $2.5 Million+ WW Rights Deal". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  15. Lang, Brent (January 28, 2016). "Sundance: Paramount Buys Clea Duvall's 'The Intervention'". Variety.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  16. Crust, Kevin (April 24, 2016). "Every single movie coming out this summer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  17. "The Intervention". Seattle International Film Festival. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  18. McNary, Dave (June 9, 2016). "Clea Duvall's 'The Intervention' to Open Outfest Los Angeles". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  19. Pearce, Leonard (July 5, 2016). "Melanie Lynskey Stages 'The Intervention' in First Trailer For Clea DuVall's Directorial Debut". The Film Stage. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  20. "The Intervention". RottenTomatoes.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  21. "The Intervention". Metacritic.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  22. Harvey, Dennis (January 26, 2016). "Sundance Film Review: 'The Intervention'". Variety.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  23. Erbland, Kate (January 29, 2016). "Sundance Review: Clea DuVall's 'The Intervention' Starring Melanie Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Natasha Lyonne, More". Indiewire.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  24. Abele, Robert (August 25, 2016). "Plenty to recommend in ensemble indie 'The Intervention'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  25. Macdonald, Moira (August 25, 2016). "'The Intervention' review: 'The Big Chill' for a new generation". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  26. Anderton, Ethan (July 5, 2016). "'The Intervention' Trailer: Melanie Lynskey Gets By with a Little Help from Her Friends". /Film. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  27. "Sundance Film Festival Awards: 'Birth Of A Nation' Pulls Off Double Win, Gassy 'Swiss Army Man' Takes Directing Prize". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  28. "Awards for The Intervention (2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
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