It is often amazing to discover a film that leaves such a profound impression never made it to the attention of the public, not to mention its lack of consideration for awards. THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN F. DONAVAN is such a film, as written by director Xavier Dolan and Jacob Tierney. The story is extraordinarily creative and the cast is of the highest order.
The title of the book that is the core of the film - Letters To A Young Actor - indicates the intimacy of the story: Rupert Turner is an 11-year-old lad who corresponds with John F Donovan, a heartthrob actor known best for his television series Hellsome High who died alone and unexpectedly from a drug overdose following scandals.
One plot summary hints at the course of the film: In 2017, Times journalist Audrey Newhouse (Thandie Newton) interviews actor Rupert Turner (Ben Schnetzer) about his recently published book Letters to a Young Actor. The book collects letters he received from John F. Donovan (Kit Harrington), an actor he corresponded with as a child and who died from a drug overdose. In a flashback to the mid-2000s, Turner is a child actor who is bullied by his homophobic schoolmates. He idolizes Donovan, who plays the lead character in the teen drama series Hellsome High. The tabloid press frequently speculates that Donovan is gay and closeted; when gossip regarding Donovan soliciting male prostitutes makes headlines, his correspondence with Turner is made public, sparking malicious speculation about the nature of Turner and Donovan's relationship. Donovan writes his final letter to Turner, and dies shortly after. In the present, Turner says he does not know whether or not Donovan's death was related to the scandal. Newhouse muses that she initially dismissed Turner's book as "mishaps from the First World," but has reconsidered based on their meeting.
The submersion into the lives of both Rupert as a child (Jacob Trembly) and as an adult (Schnetzer) and Donavan is often like a reflection in the mirror of conflicted lives. Moments of special note are the conversations between Donavan and his mother (Susan Sarandon), Donavan and an old man in a diner (Michael Gambon), Donavan and his agent (Kathy Bates), Rupert as a child with his mother (Natalie Portman) and Rupert as an adult with Audrey(Newton) are beautifully acted and directed. Other excellent roles are offered by Jared Keeso as Donovan's brother, Chris Zylka as Donovan's 'date', among others.
This is one of the most satisfying films of the past few years. Xavier Dolan and his mighty cast deserve our attention.
The title of the book that is the core of the film - Letters To A Young Actor - indicates the intimacy of the story: Rupert Turner is an 11-year-old lad who corresponds with John F Donovan, a heartthrob actor known best for his television series Hellsome High who died alone and unexpectedly from a drug overdose following scandals.
One plot summary hints at the course of the film: In 2017, Times journalist Audrey Newhouse (Thandie Newton) interviews actor Rupert Turner (Ben Schnetzer) about his recently published book Letters to a Young Actor. The book collects letters he received from John F. Donovan (Kit Harrington), an actor he corresponded with as a child and who died from a drug overdose. In a flashback to the mid-2000s, Turner is a child actor who is bullied by his homophobic schoolmates. He idolizes Donovan, who plays the lead character in the teen drama series Hellsome High. The tabloid press frequently speculates that Donovan is gay and closeted; when gossip regarding Donovan soliciting male prostitutes makes headlines, his correspondence with Turner is made public, sparking malicious speculation about the nature of Turner and Donovan's relationship. Donovan writes his final letter to Turner, and dies shortly after. In the present, Turner says he does not know whether or not Donovan's death was related to the scandal. Newhouse muses that she initially dismissed Turner's book as "mishaps from the First World," but has reconsidered based on their meeting.
The submersion into the lives of both Rupert as a child (Jacob Trembly) and as an adult (Schnetzer) and Donavan is often like a reflection in the mirror of conflicted lives. Moments of special note are the conversations between Donavan and his mother (Susan Sarandon), Donavan and an old man in a diner (Michael Gambon), Donavan and his agent (Kathy Bates), Rupert as a child with his mother (Natalie Portman) and Rupert as an adult with Audrey(Newton) are beautifully acted and directed. Other excellent roles are offered by Jared Keeso as Donovan's brother, Chris Zylka as Donovan's 'date', among others.
This is one of the most satisfying films of the past few years. Xavier Dolan and his mighty cast deserve our attention.