19 Months
| 19 Months | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Randall Cole |
| Written by | Randall Cole |
| Produced by | James Mauro |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Harald Bachmann |
| Edited by | Kathy Weinkauf |
| Music by | Danny Friedman |
Production company | Cole/Mauro Productions Inc. |
| Distributed by | ThinkFilm |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
19 Months is a 2002 Canadian mockumentary film written and directed by Randall Cole, starring Benjamin Ratner and Angela Vint. It was Cole's directorial debut.
Synopsis
[edit]Believing that all romantic partnerships turn sour, a couple decide to pre-emptively end their relationship with a perfect, amicable breakup – and agree to have a low-budget documentary film crew record it all. This includes seeing each other securely into new relationships with other people, so that neither will be left single.
Cast
[edit]- Benjamin Ratner as Rob
- Angela Vint as Melanie
- Kari Matchett as Page
- Sergio Di Zio as Steve
- Carolyn Taylor as Lisa
- Marqus Bobesich as Glen
- Scott McLaren as The Interviewer
- Brooke D'Orsay as Sandy
- Tamara Levitt as Drunk Girl 1
- Chuck Shamata as Rob's Dad
Production
[edit]The film was written and directed by Randall Cole, and is his first feature film.[1] He began writing the script around 2001, inspired by articles which stated that love was the result of a chemical response that faded over time.[2] It was about 80% scripted and 20% improvised.[1]
The film was produced through the Feature Film Project of the Canadian Film Centre, which provided a $500,000 budget.[3] The production received assistance from Telefilm Canada and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.[4]
The film was shot over 15 days[5] in Toronto and is set there, using iconic Toronto locations.[4] Actors are often filmed in close-up, which helped avoid the time and expense of set design and location dressing.[3]
Release
[edit]Reception
[edit]Film critic Ken Eisner called the film a "smart, highly entertaining" mockumentary with "funny and provocative results", and praised the performances of the cast.[4] Wendy Banks of Now gave the film an "honourable mention" and called it a "mercilessly funny and astute satire of contemporary relationships."[6] Vanessa Farquharson drew comparisons to Annie Hall with the "obsessive-compulsive male and frustrated, fey female lead".[5]
Katherine Monk of the Vancouver Sun gave the film a rating of 3 stars out of 5, calling it "highly believable", and wrote that the actors "sell every line".[7] Susan Walker of the Toronto Star called the film a "smart script driving some intense performances."[3]
Erin Oke of Exclaim! wrote that the film "offers nothing new or interesting to the genre" and called the characters "almost impossible to care about".[8]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Eisner, Ken (20 May 2004). "'19 Months' airs search for a better breakup". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver, British Columbia: Overstory Media Group. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ Zekas, Rita (21 May 2004). "When a couple exceeds their best before date". Toronto Star. p. D05. ProQuest 438699887.
- 1 2 3 Walker, Susan (21 May 2004). "Breakup flick holds together despite its cheap-date budget". Toronto Star. p. D04. ProQuest 438701084.
- 1 2 3 Eisner, Ken (16 October 2002). "19 Months". Variety. Vol. 389, no. 2. pp. 26–27. ProQuest 236224227. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- 1 2 3 Farquharson, Vanessa (21 May 2004). "There's nothing really romantic about it". National Post. Toronto, Ontario. p. PM2. ProQuest 330343775.
- ↑ Banks, Wendy. "19 Months". Now. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on 25 May 2005. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ↑ Monk, Katherine (21 May 2004). "Wicked freshness to comic romance: Childish behaviour rises like bubbles in a swamp". Vancouver Sun. p. D3. https://www.proquest.com/docview/242345082/.
- ↑ Oke, Erin (May 2004). "19 Months". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
