Barrymore (film)

Summary

Barrymore is a 2011 Canadian drama film directed and screen adaptation by Érik Canuel based on William Luce's 1996 play of the same name.[2][3][4] It stars Christopher Plummer reprising his Tony Award-winning role as John Barrymore.[5][6][7]

Barrymore
Film poster
Directed byÉrik Canuel
Written byÉrik Canuel
Based onBarrymore
by William Luce
Produced byGarth Drabinsky
StarringChristopher Plummer
CinematographyBernard Couture
Edited byJean-François Bergeron
Music byMichel Corriveau
Distributed byBY Experience[1]
Release date
  • September 10, 2011 (2011-09-10) (Toronto)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

Plot edit

Actor John Barrymore comes to terms with the ravages of his life of excess and rents an old theatre to rehearse for a backer's audition to raise funds for a revival of his 1920 Broadway hit Richard III.

Cast edit

Production edit

The film was shot at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto.[8]

Release and reception edit

The film premiered at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival.[9]

As of October 2021, the film has a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews with an average rating of 6.6/10.[10] David Hinckley of the New York Daily News wrote, "Plummer commands the stage as easily and firmly as Barrymore must have. He makes us believe that Barrymore would indeed, as he tries to reach deep into his past and revive Richard [III], keep recalling his wives or breaking in to sing a pop song of the day." He added, "It's exasperating, funny and sad on film, just as it was on stage."[11] Andrew Schenker of Slant Magazine awarded the film one and a half stars out of four.[12] David Fear of Time Out awarded the film two stars out of five.[13] Colin Covert of the Star Tribune awarded the film three stars.[14] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly graded the film a B.[15]

Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times gave a negative review, writing, "It was brilliant as a one-man stage show; it was never a good candidate for film."[16]

References edit

  1. ^ Hammond, Pete (2012-03-13). "Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer's 'Barrymore' Finds Distribution". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  2. ^ "Film Review: Barrymore". Film Journal International. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  3. ^ Kauffmann, Stanley (6 December 2012). "Stanley Kauffmann on Films: Inheritances". The New Republic. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  4. ^ Edelstein, David (11 November 2012). "Toilstoy (part 2 of 2)". New York. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  5. ^ Feinberg, Scott (9 September 2011). "First Look 'Barrymore,' One-Man Film Starring Christoper Plummer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  6. ^ Bianco, Robert (31 January 2014). "Weekend TV: 'Barrymore,' 'New Girl'". USA Today. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  7. ^ Dang, Simon (15 September 2011). "Watch: Christopher Plummer Dominates In Trailer For One Man Show 'Barrymore'". IndieWire. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  8. ^ DeFore, John (11 September 2011). "Barrymore: Toronto Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  9. ^ Hammond, Pete (13 March 2012). "Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer's 'Barrymore' Finds Distribution". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Barrymore". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  11. ^ Hinckley, David (January 31, 2014). "'Barrymore': Television review". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  12. ^ Schenker, Andrew (11 November 2012). "Barrymore". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  13. ^ Fear, David (13 November 2012). "Barrymore". Time Out. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  14. ^ Covert, Colin (6 December 2012). "Movie spotlight: Plummer in 'Barrymore'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  15. ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (15 November 2012). "Barrymore". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  16. ^ Sharkey, Betsy (14 November 2012). "Review: 'Barrymore' a showcase for Christopher Plummer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 December 2017.

External links edit