The Hollars
The Hollars
PG-13 | 26 August 2016 (USA)
The Hollars Trailers

Aspiring New York City artist John Hollar returns to his Middle America hometown on the eve of his mother’s brain surgery. Joined by his girlfriend, eight months pregnant with their first child, John is forced to navigate the crazy world he left behind.

Reviews
Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film
Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.
Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
samanthawhite The movie began feeling like there wasn't a proper introduction into the first few characters, I expected it do go deeper through out the movie but felt like it lacked the connection with the audience.There were some slightly funny moments where I would find myself with a smile & cracking a little laugh but I could feel it would end with heartache, if not by death of the mother than a relationship break down with John Hollar (John Krasinski) & Rebecca (Anna Kendrick).There was a brief love triangle thing going on with Johns old girlfriend, with her new husband, Jason (Charlie Day) being Johns Mums nurse at the hospital, the first interaction with John & Jason was funny & was confusing for John who ended up being invited over for dinner after being accused of still having feeling for his old girlfriend.Over all, it felt like some story lines were briefly touched on but weren't explored any further.With a sad but sweet ending, I would still recommend watching this movie if you enjoy dramas & especially with this lovely cast.
angelikafauve This movie has good acting first of all, a story that can happen to all humans, is 'nt boring at all - in spite of the sad theme of mother's illness. I was watching it with enough interest then came the scene where ill mother escapes with her son to have a dinner outside at a restaurant, celebrating with a dinner, before next day's operation. She is oh my God! with no scarf, or hat on her totally razed head, ready for the next day's operation! I'm sure, such an idea could never occur to anybody! On the other hand, the end with the sad final scene, seems real, brings in mind, the well known saying, operation succeeded, patient died! For that, I think, this movie doesn't reserve more, cause of bizarre writing details. We see comforting son, saying that is tired, or has enough, from his relationship and afterwards, admitting that he loves and wants to be together! Anyway, the dialogues are good enough but somewhere control over reality is getting lost.
Reno Rangan 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
Alex Heaton (azanti0029) Films with families coming together where one sibling his been absent for years that has in turn led to rivalry and jealously are not exactly new ground but in 'The Hollars' it never feels overly familiar thanks largely to the golden rule of film making, that a good script is King. The movie directing debut of John Krasinski, who also acts see's him play John Hollar, a struggling insecure graphic novelist, with a pregnant girlfriend (Anna Kendrick) living in New York. Upstate his father (Jenkins, brilliant as always) is running a failing family business, while his brother (Sharlto Copley) Ron, has just been fired by the Dad for warning him they're days away from bankruptcy. Ron has his own problems, going through a divorce from his wife and missing his two daughters, resulting in some what dysfunctional behaviour. It is in this setting that the patriarchal mother of the household (Margo Martindale, so natural & so brilliant she makes acting looks effortless) discovers she has a brain tumour, forcing the brothers together and the father to re- evaluate himself and the mistakes he may have made before its too late. A subplot involves John meeting his old flame who has now married high school friend turned hospital nurse (Charlie Day) who in turn is a bit of a dick. Will John resolve his own issues and see what is right in front of him, how will the father cope with his impending loss and can Ron find a peaceful solution to his messy divorce & cope with his wife's new love in the form of the affable local Priest (Nicely underplayed by Josh Groban) - Such are the dilemmas facing this familiar feeling family. How dramas of this type work often depend on how engaging the characters are and connecting with them at an early stage. Krasinski cleverly never makes you like anyone in-particular too much or too little, tugging at the heart strings just right. Krasinski assembled a top notch group of actors here who clearly know their craft. This could have been a play on stage, but has enough drama to work well on screen. Copley plays a role very different from previous performances and handles the American accent with ease, while Kendrick proves she can handle a more demanding role outside of the Twilight Saga spectrum. Some characters feel a little underwritten, Ashley Dyke does well to make you notice her in a part with little characterisation, but essentially this is a film about The Hollars (Hence the title) and they are rightly the focus of the piece. I have no doubt that Margo Martindale will be criminally under looked when it comes to award season for her role of the mother. One of those actresses who I have seen hundreds of times, has assured I will always know her name after this performance. The film may not break much new ground, but it is certainly among the best within its genre and fortunately, it wasn't set during Thanksgiving with a scene involving a turkey. Recommended.