SXSW 2017 Review: MR. ROOSEVELT

By Jan Hamilton

Wonderfully talented Noel Wells wrote, directed and stars in this quirky, funny film.  Her character, Emily Martin, lives in LA where she struggles to make a career in comedy, without much success.  Her ex-boyfriend Eric (Nick Thune) calls her to say that her cat, Mr. Roosevelt, who was left in Nick’s care, is very ill.  She flies back to Austin Texas at once, to learn on arrival that the cat has died.  She has used up all her money on the flight and the cat’s vet bills, so she can’t immediately return to LA.

It becomes awkward when Emily is forced by finances to stay with her ex and his new girlfriend Celeste (Britt Lower), whose existence Emily was unaware of.  Celeste seems gracious and perfect in every way, which only makes Emily feel worse.  Emily and Eric’s unresolved problems come into play during this period, and she has a series of misadventures that culminate in a reckoning between the three.

The Bottom Line: This film is populated by funny characters and situations and despite some technical problems at the Paramount Theatre for our screening, it was very well received.

Director:  Noël Wells

Executive Producer:  Noël Wells

Producer:  Chris Ohlson, Michael B. Clark, Alex Turtletaub

Screenwriter: Noël Wells

Cinematographer: Dagmar Weaver-Madsen

Editor: Terel Gibson

Production Designer: Jake Kuykendall

Music: Ryan Miller

Principal Cast: Noël Wells, Nick Thune, Britt Lower,

Daniella Pineda, Andre Hyland, Doug Benson,

Armen Weitzman, Sergio Cilli

Additional Credits: Casting: Vicky Boone,

Casting: Barbara McCarthy,

Costume Designer: Caroline Karlen

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