The Hollars

Name: The Hollars
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family
Released: August 26, 2016
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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The Hollars

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: August 26, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley

Summary: John Hollar (John Krasinski), a struggling NYC artist is forced to navigate the small middle-American town he left behind when news of his mother’s illness brings him home. Back in the house he grew up in, John is immediately swept up in the problems of his dysfunctional family, high school rival, and an over-eager ex-girlfriend as he facesJohn Hollar (John Krasinski), a struggling NYC artist is forced to navigate the small middle-American town he left behind when news of his mother’s illness brings him home. Back in the house he grew up in, John is immediately swept up in the problems of his dysfunctional family, high school rival, and an over-eager ex-girlfriend as he faces impending fatherhood with his girlfriend in New York. [Sony Pictures Classics]… Expand

Director: John Krasinski

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

Tom Russo

Sep 1, 2016

Krasinski infuses The Hollars with familiar wry humor, but he also delivers a film that’s unexpectedly rich with sweetly moving moments. Read full review

The Film Stage Dan Mecca

Jan 29, 2016

Krasinski appears to know exactly the kind of movie he’s making, elevating familiar material to a level that feels real and bittersweet. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Sep 13, 2016

It doesn’t really skip by, but Krasinski keeps the squishiness to a minimum and lets his co-stars land the laughs even if The Hollars are nothing to shout about. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Aug 24, 2016

John Krasinski’s second feature has such a milquetoast, melancholy-indie sound that its most arresting and dynamic musical moment comes when three characters unexpectedly break into “Closer To Fine” by the Indigo Girls. Read full review

Steve Persall

Sep 27, 2016

The Hollars plays like a Zach Braff cast-off, with its strenuous quirks and strummy musical interludes. Read full review

Randy Cordova

Sep 1, 2016

Krasinski is likable and Martindale can make the lamest dialogue sound believable. But even they can't make us invest in characters that are nothing more than a collection of stock quirks and tics stuck in wildly contrived situations. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Aug 25, 2016

Woefully inauthentic, milquetoast as a mild breeze and far too tidy for any of its sweeping resolutions to have even the faintest hint of staying power, The Hollars takes 88 minutes to inspire the same warm and fuzzy feeling that a Hallmark card can deliver in a heartbeat. Read full review

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User Reviews

LeZee

Jan 14, 2017

When the family needs you the most...

I'm not saying this is the best film of the year, because there are plenty of better films than this, but in some way this film wins our heart. First of all I did not know John Krasinski directs films. In fact, this is his second feature film, the onlyWhen the family needs you the most...

I'm not saying this is the best film of the year, because there are plenty of better films than this, but in some way this film wins our heart. First of all I did not know John Krasinski directs films. In fact, this is his second feature film, the only one I have seen and I loved it. The main reason to I enjoy it was, it is sentimental. Not just some foolish melodrama, but an uplifting film filled with lots of fun.

The cast was at its best. I liked everyone and their unique display. At some point it feels like a realistic drama, but those comedies make us realise that it's only a film. Margo Martindale was really awesome. I have never seen her in such a wonderful role. Most importantly in an important role like this one. If I remember this film in the future, that's only for her. The only negative about the film was the twist. It was like they aimed for it to bring change in pace and atmosphere, when the situation in the story was not in its favour. Even though I did not care it, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is the story of the Hollar family who reunite when they needed for each other. When John comes to know his mother got ill, he immediately flies back home. His brother is already there and the father is financially struggling. With many struggles, they all prepare for the medical procedure. In the meantime, there are some outside adventures. Like meeting their old friends, places, ex-wife et cetera. The remaining of the film is to reveal how it all goes and where they will stand.

The target audience is mainly the families. If you like a tearjerker, you would enjoy watching it as well. So in my opinion, this film is under-rated and under-noticed. Mainly because of the cast is not so popular and so the lack of promotion. Even the film poster is not that impressive. Kind of looks like a B movie and of course it is, but an awesome B movie. Worth a watch for many reasons and you will know it when you give it a try. So, recommended.

8/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

smiyamot

Jan 12, 2017

Good interpersonal movie with many relationships trying to resolve their differences and conflicts. Great acting but the story (?) maybe a drama/comedy was the wrong approach. A drama with some comedic moments to lighten the mood might have been better.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

skeptic303

Oct 18, 2016

From the trailer, The Hollars actually looked pretty decent, but as the movie kept chugging along, the clearest description was too many characters, too little conflict.
First and foremost, I'd like to credit this movie for at least dodging much of the clichés that Hollywood recycles on aFrom the trailer, The Hollars actually looked pretty decent, but as the movie kept chugging along, the clearest description was too many characters, too little conflict.
First and foremost, I'd like to credit this movie for at least dodging much of the clichés that Hollywood recycles on a weekly basis, but clichés aren't as critical as how something is carried out. That's where this falls short. It obviously wants to be soft and sweet; then, it becomes so soft that the conflict seems weightless. It obviously wants to focus on a group of characters; then it features too many characters for its 88 minute runtime to develop properly.
It all goes too far without much of a point, and it drags constantly. I can only grant this disappointment a seal of expendability.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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