The Lovers (2017 film)

The Lovers is a 2017 comedy romance film directed by Azazel Jacobs. It stars Debra Winger, Tracy Letts, Aidan Gillen, Melora Walters, Tyler Ross and Jessica Sula.

The Lovers
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAzazel Jacobs
Written byAzazel Jacobs
Produced by
  • Ben LeClair
  • Chris Stinson
Starring
CinematographyTobias Datum
Edited byDarrin Navarro
Music byMandy Hoffman
Production
company
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • April 22, 2017 (2017-04-22) (Tribeca)
  • May 5, 2017 (2017-05-05) (United States)
Running time
94 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.2 million[2]

It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 22, 2017. It was released on May 5, 2017, by A24.

Plot

Mary and Michael are a married couple. They live together, but are estranged from one another. They are both having long-standing extramarital affairs—she with Robert and he with Lucy. Their lovers have both emphatically demanded they break up the marriage and Mary and Michael have vowed that they will do so after a visit from their son, Joel, and his new girlfriend, Erin.

This plan goes awry, however, when an early-morning kiss between Mary and Michael leads to sex. They find themselves falling in love again and having passionate sexual encounters. Simultaneously, their respective lovers become more and more needy and demanding, which makes them less appealing to Mary and Michael.

On the train to see his parents, Joel warns Erin that their marriage is a failed one and that his parents are horrible people. He is immediately tense and wary when he enters their house, but is surprised to find his parents acting lovingly toward one another. He begins to think they may have changed.

Mary's and Michael's lovers become increasingly agitated. Robert is the first to confront his rival, telling Michael in a grocery store that Mary is going to leave him. Then, Lucy approaches Mary in her car and hisses at her. These confrontations cause the renewed rapport between Mary and Michael and their son to fall apart. Mary leaves the house for several hours and cries in her car. Joel's anger boils over and he punches a hole in a wall.

When Mary returns to the house, Joel storms out, after crying in Erin's arms. Mary and Michael do not appear to be upset with each other, but the next scene shows them packing their belongings to depart the house. Following scenes show Mary at Robert's house and Michael at Lucy's.

However, the film ends with Michael phoning Mary and telling her, "I can't stop thinking about you."

Cast

Production

On April 20, 2016, it was reported that A24 would finance and distribute the Azazel Jacobs film The Lovers, with Debra Winger and Tracy Letts in negotiations to star.[3] Filming reportedly concluded on May 27, 2016, after more than a month of shooting in and around the Santa Clarita Valley.[4]

Release

It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 22, 2017.[5] The film was released on May 5, 2017.[6] Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired international distribution rights to the film.[7]

Reception

Critical response

The Lovers received positive reviews from film critics. It holds an 82% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 113 reviews, with a weighted average of 6.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "With appealing leads and a narrative approach that offers a fresh perspective on familiar themes, The Lovers tells a quietly absorbing story with unexpected emotional resonance."[8] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 76 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews.[9]

References
  1. "The Lovers". Tribeca Film. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  2. "The Lovers". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  3. Busch, Anita (April 20, 2016). "Debra Winger & Tracy Letts To Star In A24's Divorce Comedy 'The Lovers'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  4. Spallone, Robert (May 26, 2016). "Debra Winger To Star In Indie Film Shot In Newhall". KHTS. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  5. Cox, Gordon (March 2, 2017). "Tribeca Film Festival Unveils 2017 Feature Film Slate (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  6. Nolfi, Joey (January 4, 2017). "Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are The Lovers in new film's first trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  7. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 13, 2017). "Sony Pictures Worldwide Falls For Debra Winger-Tracy Letts Romantic Comedy 'The Lovers'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  8. "The Lovers (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  9. "The Lovers". Metacritic. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
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