Colewell

Colewell
Directed byTom Quinn
Written byTom Quinn
Produced by
  • Joshua Blum
  • Alexandra Byer
  • Craig Shilowich
  • Matthew Thurm
Starring
CinematographyPaul Yee
Edited by
  • Darrin Navarro
  • Tom Quinn
Music byDara Taylor
Production
companies
Distributed byGravitas Ventures
Release dates
  • April 13, 2019 (2019-04-13) (SFIFF)
  • December 13, 2019 (2019-12-13) (United States)
Running time
79 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Colewell is a 2019 American drama film written, directed, and co-edited by Tom Quinn. It stars Karen Allen as a rural postmaster who struggles to find purpose when her office is suddenly closed and she is faced with retirement. Kevin J. O'Connor and Hannah Gross appear in supporting roles.

The film had its world premiere at the 62nd San Francisco International Film Festival on April 13, 2019. It was simultaneously released in limited theaters and on DVD, Blu-ray, and video on demand on December 13, 2019, by Gravitas Ventures. It received positive reviews from critics, who mostly praised Allen's performance. At the 35th Independent Spirit Awards, the film was nominated for Best Female Lead (for Allen) and the John Cassavetes Award.

Synopsis

Cast

Release

The film premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 13, 2019.[1]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10.[2] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[3]

Nick Schager of Variety stated, "Colewell is a character study that's almost too subdued for its own good. Fortunately, writer-director Tom Quinn has a keen eye for telling details, as well as a superb lead actress in Karen Allen." Schager also commented that "the film's finely crafted serenity is in keeping with its main character's secluded state of affairs, and mind."[4] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter opined, "Unlike many movies shot in places far from where they are meant to take place, this one has an authenticity that makes a noticeable difference. Although Colewell could have benefited from pruning away some of its eccentricities, it pays eloquent tribute to a woman who fights against a life erased."[5] Carlos Aguilar of the Los Angeles Times called the film "a drama as endearingly demure as its leading lady." Aguilar highlighted Allen's performance, writing that "Colewell finally granted her the platform for the most remarkable onscreen rendition of her career. Contemplative, her longing stare extends beyond the nearby fields and into the past."[6]

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2019 10th Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Score in an Independent Film Dara Taylor Won [7]
2020 35th Independent Spirit Awards John Cassavetes Award Tom Quinn, Joshua Blum, Alexandra Byer, Craig Shilowich, Matthew Thurm Nominated [8]
Best Female Lead Karen Allen Nominated
26th Chlotrudis Awards Best Actress Nominated [9]

References

  1. ^ Macaulay, Scott (April 12, 2019). ""There's a Vulnerability That Can Isolate Us, Whether We're in an Era of Analog Connectivity or Virtual…": Five Questions for Colewell Writer/Director Tom Quinn". Filmmaker. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  2. ^ "Colewell". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ "Colewell". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Schager, Nick (April 13, 2019). "Film Review: 'Colewell'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Farber, Stephen (April 15, 2019). "'Colewell': Film Review | San Francisco Film Festival 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ^ Aguilar, Carlos (December 5, 2019). "Review: Karen Allen gives the performance of a lifetime in 'Colewell'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Willman, Chris (November 25, 2019). "Alan Silvestri, Cynthia Erivo, Bebe Rexha Among Hollywood Music in Media Award Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney; Derschowitz, Jessica (February 10, 2020). "Film Independent Spirit Awards 2020: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "2020, 26th Annual Awards". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.