Movie spotlight
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he once shared with the former, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.
Failing to respond to a contract for a new film, a famous American actor, John F. Donovan, reflects on his life and career. Through a series of flashbacks, we see his rise to fame, the struggles he faced with his sexuality and a toxic relationship with his mother, and the complicated correspondence he had with a young fan named Rupert Turner.
The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing its convoluted plot, excessive length, and Dolan's signature style, which was seen as self-indulgent and underdeveloped. Audiences were also largely unimpressed, leading to a poor box office performance.
Panned for its meandering and self-indulgent narrative.
Criticized for underdeveloped characters and a lack of emotional resonance.
Seen as a significant misstep in Xavier Dolan's filmography.
Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a strong dislike for the film's direction and storytelling, with many finding it to be boring, confusing, and overly melodramatic. Some viewers appreciated the performances, but they were not enough to save the film.
The film had a very troubled production history, with significant portions of it being cut, and it was initially intended to be much longer, with many more actors involved who were later removed from the final cut.
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