Author: Chris P
Location: IL
"A Civil Union"
A Paramount Pictures Film
Written and Directed by Peter Hedges
Cinematography by Dante Spinotti
Editing by Pamela Martin
Music by Michael Andrews
Cast:
Emma Stone as Kate Brailey
Ryan Gosling as Alex
Freddy Rodriguez as Juan
Jerry Hernandez as Rico
Anton Yelchin as Nate
Susan Sarandon as Claudette
and
Chris Messina as Daniel
Tagline: "Work and love go hand-in-hand like marriage."
Synopsis: Post graduate NYU college student, Kate Brailey (Stone), is a sardonic free spirit becoming suffocated by the persistent stress of a burgeoning young adulthood. Since re-entering her academic endeavors, she's struggled to maintain a balance of work and play. Her relationships aren't fulfilling any particular satisfactions either. Reunited with her ex-boyfriend, Nate (Yelchin), a pot dealing drop out, she feels sentimentally attached, yet conflicted, to his freewheeling personality. His 'intellectual' political ramblings plus spontaneous antics intrigue her senses but remain a major distraction. Especially for her mother, Claudette (Sarandon), a retired stage actress, whose vain apprehensions are inflicted by a tragic accident involving her eldest son, Daniel (Messina), and a refusal to accept life's unusual disappointments without a tipsy evocation of brighter memories regarding the family.
Desperate for a change of scenery during the holiday season, Kate decides visiting her eccentric former step brother, Alex (Gosling), an independent documentarian, in California to celebrate his recent civil union with Rico (Hernandez), a subject in Alex's latest film on Hispanic culture surrounding East Los Angeles. After the divorce of their parents, Kate has kept her loyalty with Alex as a reminder of the compassion he showed during her bought with depression. Alex always identified with Kate's vulnerability despite his sometimes hard exterior and insensitive choice of words (characteristics that permeate when Rico's troubled sibling, Juan (Rodriguez), is temporarily placed in their home following a suicide attempt). However, it isn't long until each must face their own individual dilemmas.
Even with positive intentions, Alex begins to question if his project is exploiting the community when a heated confrontation with Juan, concerning the authenticity of his morals and partnership with Rico, are genuine. This soon manifests into his emotional investment in Kate's humorous support. Meanwhile, Kate loses grip on her mending intimacy with Nate when he fails to communicate her assertion of his possible unfaithfulness. Also, as Claudette crumbles underneath the pressure of an immense mental breakdown, Kate must attempt to resolve her issues between home and a place of artistic recreation. "A Civil Union" is the story of how life consumes chaos just before we try escaping its dysfunctionality.
Press Section: Oscar® nominated screenwriter/director, Peter Hedges, delves into the lives of a beleaguered family in "A Civil Union", a dramatic comedy that explores hardships which seem unshakable even in the face of a desired getaway. Hedge's witty yet wonderfully frank screenplay brings depth to the character's overwhelming situations without losing sense of the intimateconnections brought between each personality. The direction, in particular, emphasizes those bittersweet aspects when the lead actors reminisce on their relationships and private turmoils. It's a sincerity displayed on screen that unequivocally represents the audience's relatability to the material.
Emma Stone stars as Kate Brailey, a young woman battling to find freedom in the midst of a hectic existence. Stone's brilliant delivery plus comedic bravura elevates the serious tension presented in light of enormous complexities. Her wide eyes, eager innocence, and sarcastic humor illuminate the character's emotional complications with a twist of heartfelt determination. Co-star Ryan Gosling portrays Alex, a somewhat intimidating figure whose creative decisions areinternally speculated along with his recent union. Gosling plays Alex very much as a neurotic artist . He's brash, outspoken, but insanely amiable despite his major flaws. Although, the tenderness demonstrated in private instances involving Stone and Hernandez (Rico) humanize his characteristics tremendously.
As the wise but underachieving boyfriend, Nate, Anton Yelchin delivers a solidly funny performance. He smokes, sells drugs, and disregards his girlfriend's devotion yet the viewer feels sympathy for this immature man whose potential is wasted on pure ignorance. The monologues where he discusses the coalition between legalization and politics is uproarious but thought provoking as well. In a minor but significantly impactful role, Freddy Rodriguez is Juan, a fiercelyprotective brother resisting his own demons. Rodriguez showcases a splendid range of intensecharisma that appears evident when he imposes his beliefs and issues on the household. The sly subversiveness captured during his character's most quiet moments is what makes his role so memorably hilarious. Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon plays Claudette, a boozing mother crumbling under the pressure of uncertain circumstances. Sarandon's effortless ease and subtle facial expressions bring distinction to a woman desperate for resolution. Nevertheless, the scenes where she evokes past memories with her daughter, is both joyous and dignified.
Overall, "A Civil Union" is one of the best pictures of the year. The ensemble, writing, technicals, and directing are all impressive. A definite must see.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Peter Hedges
Best Actress - Emma Stone
Best Actor - Ryan Gosling
Best Supporting Actor - Freddy Rodriguez
Best Supporting Actor - Anton Yelchin
Best Supporting Actress - Susan Sarandon
Best Original Screenplay
Location: IL
"A Civil Union"
A Paramount Pictures Film
Written and Directed by Peter Hedges
Cinematography by Dante Spinotti
Editing by Pamela Martin
Music by Michael Andrews
Cast:
Emma Stone as Kate Brailey
Ryan Gosling as Alex
Freddy Rodriguez as Juan
Jerry Hernandez as Rico
Anton Yelchin as Nate
Susan Sarandon as Claudette
and
Chris Messina as Daniel
Tagline: "Work and love go hand-in-hand like marriage."
Synopsis: Post graduate NYU college student, Kate Brailey (Stone), is a sardonic free spirit becoming suffocated by the persistent stress of a burgeoning young adulthood. Since re-entering her academic endeavors, she's struggled to maintain a balance of work and play. Her relationships aren't fulfilling any particular satisfactions either. Reunited with her ex-boyfriend, Nate (Yelchin), a pot dealing drop out, she feels sentimentally attached, yet conflicted, to his freewheeling personality. His 'intellectual' political ramblings plus spontaneous antics intrigue her senses but remain a major distraction. Especially for her mother, Claudette (Sarandon), a retired stage actress, whose vain apprehensions are inflicted by a tragic accident involving her eldest son, Daniel (Messina), and a refusal to accept life's unusual disappointments without a tipsy evocation of brighter memories regarding the family.
Desperate for a change of scenery during the holiday season, Kate decides visiting her eccentric former step brother, Alex (Gosling), an independent documentarian, in California to celebrate his recent civil union with Rico (Hernandez), a subject in Alex's latest film on Hispanic culture surrounding East Los Angeles. After the divorce of their parents, Kate has kept her loyalty with Alex as a reminder of the compassion he showed during her bought with depression. Alex always identified with Kate's vulnerability despite his sometimes hard exterior and insensitive choice of words (characteristics that permeate when Rico's troubled sibling, Juan (Rodriguez), is temporarily placed in their home following a suicide attempt). However, it isn't long until each must face their own individual dilemmas.
Even with positive intentions, Alex begins to question if his project is exploiting the community when a heated confrontation with Juan, concerning the authenticity of his morals and partnership with Rico, are genuine. This soon manifests into his emotional investment in Kate's humorous support. Meanwhile, Kate loses grip on her mending intimacy with Nate when he fails to communicate her assertion of his possible unfaithfulness. Also, as Claudette crumbles underneath the pressure of an immense mental breakdown, Kate must attempt to resolve her issues between home and a place of artistic recreation. "A Civil Union" is the story of how life consumes chaos just before we try escaping its dysfunctionality.
Press Section: Oscar® nominated screenwriter/director, Peter Hedges, delves into the lives of a beleaguered family in "A Civil Union", a dramatic comedy that explores hardships which seem unshakable even in the face of a desired getaway. Hedge's witty yet wonderfully frank screenplay brings depth to the character's overwhelming situations without losing sense of the intimateconnections brought between each personality. The direction, in particular, emphasizes those bittersweet aspects when the lead actors reminisce on their relationships and private turmoils. It's a sincerity displayed on screen that unequivocally represents the audience's relatability to the material.
Emma Stone stars as Kate Brailey, a young woman battling to find freedom in the midst of a hectic existence. Stone's brilliant delivery plus comedic bravura elevates the serious tension presented in light of enormous complexities. Her wide eyes, eager innocence, and sarcastic humor illuminate the character's emotional complications with a twist of heartfelt determination. Co-star Ryan Gosling portrays Alex, a somewhat intimidating figure whose creative decisions areinternally speculated along with his recent union. Gosling plays Alex very much as a neurotic artist . He's brash, outspoken, but insanely amiable despite his major flaws. Although, the tenderness demonstrated in private instances involving Stone and Hernandez (Rico) humanize his characteristics tremendously.
As the wise but underachieving boyfriend, Nate, Anton Yelchin delivers a solidly funny performance. He smokes, sells drugs, and disregards his girlfriend's devotion yet the viewer feels sympathy for this immature man whose potential is wasted on pure ignorance. The monologues where he discusses the coalition between legalization and politics is uproarious but thought provoking as well. In a minor but significantly impactful role, Freddy Rodriguez is Juan, a fiercelyprotective brother resisting his own demons. Rodriguez showcases a splendid range of intensecharisma that appears evident when he imposes his beliefs and issues on the household. The sly subversiveness captured during his character's most quiet moments is what makes his role so memorably hilarious. Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon plays Claudette, a boozing mother crumbling under the pressure of uncertain circumstances. Sarandon's effortless ease and subtle facial expressions bring distinction to a woman desperate for resolution. Nevertheless, the scenes where she evokes past memories with her daughter, is both joyous and dignified.
Overall, "A Civil Union" is one of the best pictures of the year. The ensemble, writing, technicals, and directing are all impressive. A definite must see.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Peter Hedges
Best Actress - Emma Stone
Best Actor - Ryan Gosling
Best Supporting Actor - Freddy Rodriguez
Best Supporting Actor - Anton Yelchin
Best Supporting Actress - Susan Sarandon
Best Original Screenplay