The transition ofJohn Krasinskifrom one of the most likable characters onThe Officeto the filmmaker behind theA Quiet Placefranchise is one of the most remarkable career pivots in recent Hollywood history. While many actors eventually become directors, Krasinski’s aptitude for lighthearted comedy made him more than a little bit unusual as the innovator behind one ofthe scariest science fiction thrillersof the last few years. The difference in genres was striking, butKrasinski had proven himself as a director beforeA Quiet Placewith his heartfelt dramedyThe Hollars.
Krasinski had made his directorial debutwith the 2009 dramedyBrief Interviews With Hideous Men, butThe Hollarswas a far more ambitious project. The popularity ofZach Braff’sGarden Statehad inspired many stars tomake independent comedies about rediscovering their roots, and Krasinski assembled a talented cast for his earnest film about parenthood, marriage, and illness. While it easily could have been nothing but an empty star vehicle,Krasinski captured an emotional authenticity inThe Hollarsthat signified his maturation as a filmmaker.
The Hollars
When an aspiring artist receives news of his mother’s serious illness, he heads back to his hometown, where he reconnects with his eccentric family. Faced with old wounds and complicated relationships, he must navigate the emotional landscape of his past while dealing with present crises. The story deftly balances humor and heartfelt moments, providing a poignant look at family ties and personal growth. As he rediscovers the significance of family support and unconditional love, the film captures the essence of finding strength and unity amidst life’s most challenging times.
What Is ‘The Hollars’ About?
In what felt like a very personal story on Krasinski’s part,The Hollarsexplores the transitional moments in a man’s life as he reassesses his priorities.Krasinski stars as John Hollar, a relatively successful graphic artist living in New York City who is expecting a child with his girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick). John doesn’t quite feel at home in the Big Apple, but he’s never taken it upon himself to return to the small town that he grew up in. Unfortunately, John learns that his mother Sally (Margo Martindale) has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and may only have a few months left to live. John is forced to return home to reunite with his quirky brother Ron (Sharlto Copley) and his neurotic father Don (Richard Jenkins) in hopes ofspending some precious time as a family. Unfortunately, the return to his roots forces John to remember that he’s caught between two different homes, and that he doesn’t entirely belong in either.
The scenes detailing Sally’s diagnosis are quite gripping, as Krasinski has an eye for showing the mundanity of medical procedures; while Don jumps on every opportunity to see what he can do to help, Sally acknowledges that there is little anyone can do.Krasinski shows the challenges that come with being at the center of a dysfunctional family. It’s evident that John’s success as an artist means that his family views him as the most well-adjusted; this is made more glaring considering that Ron is in the midst of a nasty breakup with his ex-wife Stacey (Ashley Dyke), and constantly feuds with her new partner Dan (Josh Groban). The pressures put on John to have wisdom force him to mask his vulnerabilities.Krasinski successfully showshow precarious these responsibilities can be, successfully showing a more thoughtful depiction of masculinity.
The Hollarsmarked a step up for Krasinski as a visual storyteller, as he successfully captureda “slice of life” portrayal of small town communitiesthat didn’t feel entirely superficial. The distinction between how he framed the early expositional scenes in New York and the sequence of John returning to his home are quite striking. Footage of John and Rebecca discussing their future over the phone connects the two locations visually, making the aesthetic differences more evident.
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‘The Hollars’ Is Elevated by Its Strong Cast
While it indicated his interest in more serious projects as a director,Krasinski showed restraint in casting himself as the protagonist. When compared to the more eccentric supporting characters ofThe Hollars, John is a rather average, and potentially not very interesting character. Krasinski is able to capture John’s bravery and anxiety in a way that generates empathy, but gives the chance for his co-stars to do some of the emotional heavy lifting. It’s hard not to tear up when watching Martindale characterize Sally’s acceptance of her own fate. While the material grows borderline saccharine at points,Martindale is the type of consummate professionalwho can elevate the material.
Comparisons can be drawn betweenThe Hollarsand other family dramas, butKrasinski manages to incorporate a love triangle that actually works. John’s return home sparks an uncomfortable reunion with his ex-fiancee Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who is now married to his mother’s nurse Jason (Charlie Day). Instead of leaning into the scandalous aspects of John’s romantic struggles,The Hollarsshows how hard it can be to escape one’s youthful passions; John realizes that Gwen fell in love with him when he was at a completely different period in his life.The strong performance by Winsteadhelps give Gwen compelling characteristics that give her a sense of individuality beyond her dynamic with John.
‘The Hollars’ Was a Transitional Film for John Krasinski
While it doesn’t featureany supernatural thriller elements,The Hollarsindicated that Krasinski had a talent for showing earnest stories centered around families.Ironically, bothThe HollarsandA Quiet Placeexplore the anxieties that parents go through when bringing a child into the world. Both films show the importance of bridging bonds between generations, even if there are emotional divisions. Despite their stark differences in tone, bothA Quiet PlaceandThe Hollarsshow that death can come at any moment, so it’s important to value the time that is granted.
Krasinski continues to surprise with his directorial choices,as his next filmIF, currently playing in theaters,is a family film with more overt comedic elements. It’s exciting to see that in addition to prioritizing original projects,Krasinski is able to make broadly accessible films that don’t talk down to the audiences.The Hollarssignified that the inherent charisma he had as an actor was reflective of the precision he took with every aspect of the filmmaking process.
The Hollarsis available to rent on Prime Video in the U.S.
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