John Krasinski's THE HOLLARS is a Heartwarming Story That Plays It Safe — Sundance Review
I wanted to like this film. I really did. It had everything going for it. John Krasinski directed and starred alongside a fantastic cast. The writing is witty, the music is good...what's not to like?
John Hollar (Krasinski) is a struggling comic book artist working a boring office job to make ends meet. His girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick) is pregnant with their first child when John finds out his mother (Margo Martindale) has a brain tumor. He rushes out to the small hometown he grew up in to find his family in dysfunction. In addition to his mother's tumor, the business his father (Richard Jenkins) owns is in financial danger and his brother (Sharlto Copley) is living with his parents, unable to get over his divorce.
Everyone is forced to face their own inadequacies while trying to cope with tragedy and learning how to communicate as a family. If this plot sounds tired and trite, it's because it is. While the jokes were funny and the characters well-acted, no amount of Charlie Day as an annoying nurse or Josh Groban as a kind-hearted pastor could save this movie from what it was: unoriginal.
Despite how much was seemingly at stake (is Mom going to be okay? Can Dad save his business? Will John be a good father?), there was never a time where I was actually concerned for anyone. For whatever reason, this film was desperately lacking a sense of urgency. While comedy was one of this film's strong suits, a joke often followed or preceded a very dramatic moment, which often downplayed the emotional value of the scene.
For me, The Hollars was just okay. Although entertaining, it wasn't one that really made me feel much of anything, despite clearly intending to do just that. I was reminded of the film 50/50, a great story about cancer that made me laugh and cry my face off. While The Hollars slightly missed the mark, it's still pretty funny and has appearances from some great actors. I would totally see this again if it was on TV and I couldn't find anything better to watch.