Supernova (2020 film)

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Supernova
Supernova poster.jpeg
Official poster
Directed byHarry Macqueen
Written byHarry Macqueen
Produced by
  • Tristan Goligher
  • Emily Morgan
Starring
CinematographyDick Pope
Edited byChris Wyatt
Music byKeaton Henson
Production
companies
Distributed byStudioCanal
Release dates
  • 22 September 2020 (2020-09-22) (SSFF)
  • 25 June 2021 (2021-06-25) (United Kingdom)
Running time
93 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$681,605[2][3]

Supernova is a 2020 British romantic drama film written and directed by Harry Macqueen. The film stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci.

Supernova had its world premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on 22 September 2020 and was released in the United States on 29 January 2021, by Bleecker Street, and in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2021, by StudioCanal.

Plot[]

Sam and Tusker, partners for 20 years and amateur astronomers, travel in a campervan across England to the Lake District for a reunion with friends and family. Tusker has been diagnosed with early onset of dementia, with his illness putting strain on their relationship. He is in the middle of writing a book, but he's been refusing to show it to Sam. Sam prepares for his final piano concert.

The pair arrive at Sam’s sister’s house, where the rest of their family and friends meet them for a dinner. During subsequent conversation with one of their friends, Sam finds out Tusker has been having difficulties writing. Sam heads into their camper van and discovers that his writing has been declining steadily over time. He also discovers a vial of Pentobarbital and listens to a pre-recorded tape of farewell.

The pair head to a leased cottage in the countryside. Sam confronts Tusker about his discovery and plays the tape to him, which reveals that Tusker plans to die by suicide before his dementia becomes too severe. Sam disagrees with him, and they have an argument. They make up next day and have an intimate night together. Next morning as Sam is playing piano, he lets Tusker know that he accepts his decision and wants to be at his side when he does it.

Sam plays at his concert during the final scene.

Cast[]

Production[]

In October 2019, it was announced Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci had joined the cast of the film, with Harry Macqueen directing from a screenplay he wrote, with StudioCanal distributing in the United Kingdom.[4][5] The film's soundtrack was written and recorded by Keaton Henson.[6]

Release[]

The film had its world premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on 22 September 2020,[7] and was released in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2021, by StudioCanal.[8] In October 2020, Bleecker Street acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film[9] and released it in the United States on 29 January 2021. It was selected in official competition at London Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival and Rome Film festival in 2020.

Reception[]

Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 89% of 194 critic reviews are positive for the film. Critics consensus on the website reads, "Led by moving performances from Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci, Supernova is a heartbreaking look at the emotional toll that comes with accepting mortality."[10] Metacritic calculated a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 31 reviews, citing "generally favorable reviews".[11]

It was 'Critic's Pick' in The New York Times with Glenn Kenny calling the film "spectacularly moving".[12] The Washington Post gave it four stars out of four.[13] Justin Chang from Los Angeles Times said the film "shouldn't be missed".[14]

The film was short-listed for two BAFTA awards in the UK in 2021 including Best British Feature.

It was selected in the Best Feature category at the European Film Awards in 2021. [15]

References[]

  1. ^ "Supernova". San Sebastián International Film Festival. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Supernova". The Numbers. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Supernova". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Marc, Christopher (13 October 2019). "EXCLUSIVE: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci To Star In Drama 'Supernova' Directed By Harry Macqueen". HN Entertainment. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  5. ^ Barraclough, Leo (24 October 2019). "Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci Love Story 'Supernova' Closes Multiple Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  6. ^ Trunick, Austin (14 January 2021). "Premiere: Keaton Henson – "The Road to Lilly's" from 'Supernova' Soundtrack". Under The Radar. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  7. ^ Hopewell, John (6 August 2020). "Colin Firth & Stanley Tucci's 'Supernova,' Matt Dillon's 'El Gran Fellove' Set for San Sebastian". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  8. ^ Volkov, Anton (22 September 2020). "Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci Revisit Their Lives In First 'Supernova' Trailer". Trailer Track. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  9. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (9 October 2020). "'Supernova': Bleecker Street Picks Up Domestic To Colin Firth & Stanley Tucci Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Supernova (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "Supernova (2021) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Kenny, Glenn (January 28, 2021). "'Supernova' Review: On the Road, to a Heartbreaking Destination". The New York Times.
  13. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/supernova-movie-review/2021/01/26/d8be7cf8-5f2e-11eb-afbe-9a11a127d146_story.html
  14. ^ "Review: Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth are beautifully matched in the moving romantic drama 'Supernova'". Los Angeles Times. February 17, 2021.
  15. ^ European Film Awards

External links[]

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