The Listener (film)

The Listener
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySteve Buscemi
Written byAlessandro Camon
Produced by
Starring
  • Tessa Thompson
CinematographyAnka Malatynska
Edited byKate Williams
Music byAska Matsumiya
Production
companies
  • Hantz Motion Pictures
  • Olive Productions
  • Sight Unseen Pictures
Distributed byVertical Entertainment
Release dates
  • September 9, 2022 (2022-09-09) (Venice)
  • March 29, 2024 (2024-03-29) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Listener is a 2022 American drama film directed by Steve Buscemi and written by Alessandro Camon. It stars Tessa Thompson in the film's only on-screen role as a helpline volunteer.

The film premiered at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival, and was released in the United States by Vertical Entertainment on March 29, 2024.

Plot

Beth, a "listener" for callers to simply talk to, receives a call from a previous inmate who was just released a year ago, a man that just told his wife he doesn't love her anymore and a young woman whose abusive boyfriend wants to pimp her out which upsets Beth. Beth then receives a call from a child sex offender, and he talks about his recent actions and asks Beth personal questions about her looks, challenging her that she doesn't understand his problems and difficulties because she's "good looking" and that he is horrid, and an evolutionary failure. She soon becomes uncomfortable speaking to this individual and ends the call. As she goes through each call she receives, she uses methods to deter her vulnerability but also provides resources and encouragement to the callers.

Cast

Voice cast

Production

The Listener was directed by Buscemi from a script by Alessandro Camon. It is an American co-production between Olive Productions, Sight Unseen Pictures, and Hantz Motion Pictures.

Principal photography took place in Los Angeles between August and September 2021.[2]

Release

The Listener premiered as the closing film of the Giornate Degli Autori section of the 2022 Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2022.[3][4] It also screened in Industry Selects section of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.[5]

In February 2024, Vertical Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film in North America, United Kingdom and Ireland, scheduling it for a day-and-date release in the United States on March 29, 2024.[6]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 74% of 46 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.60/10.[7] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[8]

References

  1. ^ "The Listener (15)". BBFC. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 12, 2021). "The Listener: Tessa Thompson To Topline Latest Feature From Director Steve Buscemi". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Calnan, Ellie (July 28, 2022). "Abel Ferrara, Steve Buscemi, Georgia Oakley, Fyzal Boulifa films among Venice's Giornate degli Autori line-up". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (July 28, 2022). "Abel Ferrara, Shia LaBeouf And Steve Buscemi Head To Venice Sidebar Giornate Degli Autori; San Sebastian Unveils Contenders For New Directors Award – Global Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 23, 2022). "TIFF Industry Selects Section Includes Steve Buscemi's The Listener, Bill Pohlad's Dreamin' Wild; Jason Reitman's Live Read Returns". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 12, 2024). "Tessa Thompson Helpline Drama 'The Listener' Directed By Steve Buscemi Lands At Vertical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Listener". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 28, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  8. ^ "The Listener". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2024.