The Late Bloomer
| The Late Bloomer | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kevin Pollak |
| Produced by |
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| Written by |
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| Based on |
Man Made: A Memoir of My Body by Ken Baker |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Walter Murphy |
| Cinematography | Akis Konstantakopoulos |
| Edited by | Adam Beamer |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Momentum Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Late Bloomer is an American comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Pollak and written by Gary Rosen, Joe Nussbaum, Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove, and Kyle Cooper & Austyn Jeffs. It is based on journalist Ken Baker's autobiographical Man Made: A Memoir of My Body.[1] It stars Johnny Simmons, Maria Bello, Brittany Snow, Jane Lynch, J. K. Simmons, Kumail Nanjiani, Beck Bennett and Paul Wesley.
The film had its world premiere at the San Diego Film Festival on September 30, 2016.[2] The film is scheduled to be released in a limited release and through video on demand on October 7, 2016, by Momentum Pictures.[3]
The film was met with general dislike, the Hollywood Reporter saying that while Johnny Simmons fit his role perfectly, many secondary actors such as J.K. Simmons, Jane Lynch, Laraine Newman, Illeana Douglas, Maria Bello and Brian Doyle-Murray have fun in their stereotypical roles, but J.K. Simmons and Maria Bello, in particular, seem severely overqualified for their roles.[4]
Plot
Dr. Peter Newmans (Johnny Simmons) is a 27 year old sex therapist who lives a quiet life alone, silently crushing on his pretty neighbour, Michelle (Brittany Snow). He is known for being a very non-sexual person, comically because he wrote a book about how sex is not a necessity. Michelle breaks up with her workaholic boyfriend, and Peter uses this time to comfort her. Michelle, feeling vulnerable, kisses Peter. He lies and says he has a headache, when really he is a virgin and feels uncomfortable in sexual situations. The next day, Peter's friends (Kumail Nanjiani and Beck Bennett) stop by his apartment and force him to go to their weekend basketball game. It is here that Peter gets hit in the groin and sent to the ER. During his checkup, doctors notice Peter's abnormally small genitalia. An MRI is ordered for Peter and it's revealed that he has a benign tumour inside his brain, causing his delay in puberty. Peter, overly happy about the news that he is not a "freak," insists that a procedure is done to take the tumour out immediately. Peter stays with his parents (J.K. Simmons and Maria Bello) during his recovery, who are quite eccentric. It his here that Peter gets his first erection, and his borderline sex addiction begins. While it is good for Peter that he can now have sex, he also experiences other symptoms of puberty, such as mood swings and bad acne. After finally getting a date with Michelle, he blows it by acting like a horrible person towards her. Peter becomes depressed and tries to receive oral sex from one of his patients, but is caught and subsequently fired by his boss (Jane Lynch). Peter is forced to come to terms with his realities, and has a heart to heart with his father over what it means to "be a man." Upon further reflection of his anti-sex book, Peter determines that you should have all the (consensual) sex possible, and society should cease to sex-shame individuals because "it's awesome." Eventually, Peter gets to apologize to Michelle, and they live happily ever after.
Cast
- Johnny Simmons as Dr. Peter Newmans, a sex therapist.
- J. K. Simmons as James Newmans, Peter's father.
- Brittany Snow as Michelle, the girl next door, pursued by Peter.
- Jane Lynch as Caroline, head of the office where Peter works.
- Paul Wesley as Charlie
- Maria Bello as Brenda Newmans, Peter's mother.
- Beck Bennett as Luke, Peter's friend and wingman.
- Kumail Nanjiani as Rich, Peter's friend and another wingman.
- Blake Cooper as Josh, Peter's young friend.
- Lenora Crichlow as Nikki
- Ken Marino as Dr. Hanson
- Illeana Douglas as Linda
- Charlotte McKinney as Patient
- Vanessa Ragland as Jenny
- Sam Robards as Dr. Lawson
Production
Alcon Entertainment acquired the film rights to the journalist Ken Baker's autobiographical book Man Made: A Memoir of My Body in 2008 and a script by Gary Rosen.[5] The Late Bloomer project was first announced in January 2010, when Alcon was developing the film based on the true story of Baker, who went through his puberty in three weeks at the age of 27. The delaying of his puberty and normal development was caused by a benign tumor in his brain.[5] At that time Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson were attached as producers, and studio was re-imagining the film into the comedy by hiring Joe Nussbaum to write a new draft of the script.[5]
In October 2012, it was announced that the film was to be directed by Randall Einhorn and would star Elijah Wood.[6] The script had been written by Joe Nussbaum, and rewritten by Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove. The film would be produced by Jesse Israel of Ineffable Pictures, and Brent Emery of Coup d'Etat Films, with financing by Dignity Film Finance.[6]
In May 2015, it was announced that the film was now to be directed by Kevin Pollak, who would make his narrative debut.[7] Raphael Kryszek and Israel would produce the film for Ineffable, along with Heidi Jo Markel for Eclectic.[7] In August 2015, a new cast was announced, including Johnny Simmons in the lead role of sex therapist Dr. Peter Newmans, whose experiences would mirror those of Baker in real life.[8] Jane Lynch would play Caroline, head of the office where he works, Maria Bello and J. K. Simmons his parents, Brittany Snow the girl he pursues, and Beck Bennett, Kumail Nanjiani, and Blake Cooper his friends.[8] Other cast members would include Paul Wesley, Ken Marino, Illeana Douglas, Charlotte McKinney, Vanessa Ragland, and Lenora Crichlow.[9] The latest draft of the film was revealed to have been written by Kyle Cooper and Austyn Jeffs, and Conor Charles was announced as co-producer.[9]
Filming
Principal photography on the film began in late August 2015 in Los Angeles, and wrapped up in Bulgaria on September 5, 2015.[8][9]
Release
In April 2016, Momentum Pictures acquired U.S distribution rights to the film.[10] It had its world premiere at the San Diego Film Festival on September 30, 2016.[11] It is scheduled to be released in a limited release and through video on demand on October 7, 2016.[12]
References
- ↑ "MAN ALIVE / A life-threatening illness forced Mill Valley writer Ken Baker to come to grips with issues of his own masculinity". SFGate. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- ↑ "Festival Schedule". San Diego Film Festival. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ↑ Malkin, Marc (August 9, 2016). "Watch The Late Bloomer Trailer With Brittany Snow and Johnny Simmons". E! News. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ↑ Scheck, Frank (2016-10-12). "'The Late Bloomer': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- 1 2 3 McNary, Dave (January 21, 2010). "Alcon develops 'Late Bloomer'". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- 1 2 Sneider, Jeff (October 1, 2012). "Elijah Wood is a 'Late Bloomer'". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- 1 2 McNary, Dave (May 5, 2015). "Kevin Pollak to Direct Comedy 'The Late Bloomer' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Sneider, Jeff (August 25, 2015). "Paul Wesley, Brittany Snow, Blake Cooper Join Comedy 'The Late Bloomer'". TheWrap. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Kilday, Gregg (August 25, 2015). "Johnny Simmons Starring in Kevin Pollak's 'The Late Bloomer'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (April 13, 2016). "Kevin Pollak's 'Late Bloomer' Bought by Momentum Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ↑ Cavassuto, Maria (August 29, 2016). "San Diego Film Festival Announces Full 2016 Lineup". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ↑ "The Late Bloomer — Trailer". The Movie Box. August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.