Mass (2021 film)
Mass | |
---|---|
Directed by | Fran Kranz |
Written by | Fran Kranz |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Ryan Jackson-Healy |
Edited by | Yang Hua Hu |
Music by | Darren Morze |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Bleecker Street |
Release dates |
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Running time | 110 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | < $300,000[2] |
Box office | $148,936[3][4] |
Mass is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by Fran Kranz (in his directorial debut) and starring Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton as grieving parents who meet to discuss a tragedy involving their sons. The film had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021, and was released on October 8, 2021, by Bleecker Street. At the BAFTA Awards, Dowd received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Premise
Jay and Gail Perry are parents grieving the death of their son, a victim of a school shooting. Richard and Linda are the parents of the perpetrator. Six years after the tragedy, both couples agree to meet and talk.
Cast
- Reed Birney as Richard
- Ann Dowd as Linda
- Jason Isaacs as Jay Perry
- Martha Plimpton as Gail Perry
- Breeda Wool as Judy
- Kagen Albright as Anthony
- Michelle N. Carter as Kendra
Production
In November 2019, it was announced that Fran Kranz would write and direct Mass in his feature directorial debut, with Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton attached to star.[5] Breeda Wool joined the cast in December 2019.[6] The entire film was shot in twelve days.[7]
Release
Mass had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021 in the Premieres section.[8] In May 2021, Bleecker Street acquired distribution rights to the film.[9] By the end of its run, the film will have screened at film festivals in Busan,[10] Charlottesville,[11] London,[12] San Sebastian,[13] Sudbury,[14] Woodstock[15] and Zurich.[16] It is scheduled to be released on October 8, 2021.[17] In September 2021, Sky Cinema acquired the UK and Ireland distribution rights.[18] In the United States, the film was screened in four theaters; two in New York and two in Los Angeles.[19]
Reception
Box office
In its opening weekend, Mass earned $13,485 from four theaters.[20]
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 189 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.30/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Mass requires a lot of its audience, but rewards that emotional labor with a raw look at grief that establishes writer-director Fran Kranz as a filmmaker of tremendous promise."[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 81 out of 100 based on 33 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[22]
Kranz's direction and storytelling techniques received praise. The Chicago Reader compared the film to the works of playwright Tennessee Williams, calling it "riveting and unforgettable."[23] Richard Whittaker from The Austin Chronicle had a similar response and said in his review that the story was "perfectly told."[24] Writing for Little White Lies, Hannah Strong summarized the film as a "study of human pain and anger in painstaking detail, supported by a script which is hauntingly realistic without dipping into mawkish or exploitative territory."[25] Owen Gleiberman, from Variety, said the film "announces Fran Kranz as a bold new filmmaker who has earned the right to excavate a subject as sensitive as this one."[26]
The performances in the film also received praise. While Entertainment Weekly said it was "an exceptional opportunity to watch four great character actors,"[27] Salon.com said the film "gives each member of the ensemble cast a big speech to emote and express what their characters are feeling. The conversation is certainly compelling as it builds."[28] In his review for The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney said the film was "a harrowing watch, but a cathartic one, with each of the four superb principal actors delivering scenes of wrenching release."[29] Furthermore, Vox journalist Alissa Wilkinson said Mass "leaves plenty of breathing room for characters to have authentic moments of emotion and puts a gentle, grace-filled frame around an almost unspeakable tragedy. It's a showcase for its performers, but it's also a valuable experience for its audience."[30]
Accolades
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Sebastián Film Festival | September 28, 2021 | Youth Jury Award | Fran Kranz | Won | [31] |
New Directors Award | Nominated | ||||
Gotham Independent Film Awards | November 29, 2021 | Outstanding Supporting Performance | Reed Birney | Nominated | [32] |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards | December 6, 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [33] |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Best Ensemble | Mass | Won | |||
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards | December 19, 2021 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Won | [34] |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Won | |||
Best Ensemble | Mass | Won | |||
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards | December 22, 2021 | Best Picture | Nominated | [35] | |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Best Ensemble | Mass | Won | |||
Best First Film | Runner-up | ||||
San Diego Film Critics Society | January 10, 2021 | Best Picture | Mass | Nominated | [36] |
Best Supporting Actor | Jason Isaacs | Won | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Nominated | |||
Martha Plimpton | Nominated | ||||
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Won | |||
Best Breakthrough Artist | Nominated | ||||
Best Ensemble | Mass | Nominated | |||
Austin Film Critics Association | January 11, 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [37] |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Best First Film | Nominated | ||||
Best Ensemble | Mass | Nominated | |||
Seattle Film Critics Society | January 17, 2022 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [38] |
Best Ensemble Cast | Mass | Won | |||
Best Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Houston Film Critics Society Awards | January 19, 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Won | [39] |
Best Ensemble | Mass | Won | |||
Online Film Critics Society Awards | January 24, 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [40] |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Best Debut Feature | Nominated | ||||
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards | January 25, 2022 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [41][42] |
Best Screenplay, Original | Fran Kranz | Nominated | |||
Hollywood Critics Association | February 28, 2022 | Best Supporting Actor | Jason Isaacs | Nominated | [43] |
Best Original Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Won | |||
Best First Feature | Nominated | ||||
Best Indie Film | Mass | Nominated | |||
Independent Spirit Awards | March 6, 2022 | Best First Screenplay | Fran Kranz | Nominated | [44] |
Robert Altman Award | Fran Kranz, Henry Russell Bergstein, Allison Estrin, Kagen Albright, Reed Birney, Michelle N. Carter, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Breeda Wool | Won | |||
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards | March 7, 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Won | [45] |
British Academy Film Awards | March 13, 2022 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [46] |
Critics' Choice Movie Awards | March 13, 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Ann Dowd | Nominated | [47] |
Dorian Awards | March 17, 2022 | Best Unsung Film | Mass | Pending | [48] |
Best Supporting Film Performance | Ann Dowd | Pending | |||
Best Supporting Film Performance | Martha Plimpton | Pending |
References
- ^ "Sundance - FPG". Sundance. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ "Fran Kranz And The $30,000 White Lie That Got Acclaimed Drama 'Mass' Made". Forbes. October 9, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "Mass (2021)". The Numbers. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ "Mass (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 21, 2019). "Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Reed Birney, Ann Dowd Topline 'Mass' Drama From Fran Kranz". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 20, 2019). "Breeda Wool Cast In 'Mass'; Anjali Bhimani Joins 'All My Life'; Kali 'K.O.' Reis To Star In 'Catch the Fair One'; More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ Feinberg, Scott (February 1, 2022). "Oscars: Six Contenders on the Challenges and Rewards of Making 2021 Indies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (January 30, 2020). "Sundance Review: Fran Kranz's 'Mass'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (May 7, 2021). "Bleecker Street Picks Up Sundance Film Festival Jason Isaacs Feature 'Mass'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ "Mass". Busan International Film Festival.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Virginia Film Festival". Virginia Film Festival. September 17, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Mass". BFI London Film Festival 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Mass | San Sebastian Film Festival". sansebastianfestival. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cinéfest Sudbury unveils its 2021 program; will follow a hybrid format". thesudburystar. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "'Mass,' 'Storm Lake' win top honors at Woodstock Film Festival awards ceremony". Daily Freeman. October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Mass - Zurich Film Festival (in German), retrieved October 8, 2021
- ^ Davis, Clayton (July 12, 2021). "Sundance Favorite 'Mass' Sets Fall Release, Ensemble Cast Goes Supporting for Oscars (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ Kasule, Melissa (September 2, 2021). "Fran Kranz's Sundance hit 'Mass' to debut on Sky in the UK and Ireland". Screen International. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (October 8, 2021). "'The Rescue' Tests Murky Arthouse Waters: 'We Need To See Multiple Films Performing Well' – Specialty Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 41". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Mass". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ "Mass". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ Flanders, Josh; Flanders, Sheri (February 19, 2021). "What we loved at Sundance 2021... from our couch". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Whittaker, Richard (February 1, 2021). "Sundance Review: Mass". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Strong, Hannah (February 1, 2021). "Mass – first-look review". Little White Lies. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (January 30, 2021). "'Mass' Review: A Charged Meditation on the Aftermath of a School Shooting". Variety. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Greenblatt, Leah (January 31, 2021). "Chamber-piece drama Mass bracingly showcases a remarkable cast: Sundance review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Kramer, Gary M. (January 31, 2021). "The heartrending 'Mass' is a somber and intimate look at the survivors of a horrific crime". Salon.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Rooney, David (January 30, 2021). "'Mass': Film Review | Sundance 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Wilkinson, Alissa (February 9, 2021). "12 movies that everyone will be talking about this year". Vox. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Edirisinghe, Amber (September 28, 2021). "SAN SEBASTIAN FILM FESTIVAL: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WINNERS, FILMS AND FASHION DURING 69TH EDITION". The Olive Press. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (October 21, 2021). "Gotham Awards 2021 Nominations: 'Pig,' 'Green Knight,' 'Passing' Compete for Best Feature". IndieWire. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Eric, Anderson (December 4, 2021). "Washington DC Critics: 'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ Neglia, Matt. "The 2021 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 15, 2021). "The 2021 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Nominations". NextBigPicture. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ Murray, Rebecca. "San Diego Film Critics Society 2021 Nominees: Belfast Tops the List with 12 Nominations". ShowbizJunkies. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 4, 2022). "The 2021 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations". Next Big Picture. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ ""The Power of the Dog" Leads the 2021 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle Film Critics. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ Darling, Cary (January 3, 2022). "'The Power of the Dog' takes a bite out of Houston Film Critics Society's nominations". Preview. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 18, 2022). "The 2021 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations". Next Big Picture. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (December 10, 2021). "The Power of the Dog, Passing Lead Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award Nominations (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Urban, Sasha (January 25, 2022). "The Power of the Dog Sweeps Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "DUNE, CODA, AND BELFAST LEAD THE 5TH ANNUAL HCA FILM AWARDS NOMINATIONS". December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ Long, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (December 14, 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 20, 2022). "Vancouver Film Critics Circle: The Power of the Dog Leads With Five Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (February 3, 2022). "BAFTA Awards Nominations: Dune Leads Pack in Diverse List Full of Surprises". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (December 13, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations Led By 'Belfast' And 'West Side Story'". Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (February 22, 2022). "Power of the Dog, Flee Lead GALECA LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Award Film Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
External links
- 2021 films
- English-language films
- American films
- American drama films
- American independent films
- Bleecker Street films
- 2021 directorial debut films
- 2021 drama films
- 2021 independent films
- 2020s English-language films
- Films about grieving
- Films about school violence