Release Date: April 5, 2016
Rating: R
Running Time: 103 minutes

Pop culture scholar Andrew (Jason Sudeikis) comes to Maine to interview Hannah (Rebecca Hall), the protective widow of an acclaimed singer. When the unlikely pair strike a deal to co-write a biography, Andrew finds himself clashing with a cast of locals, including Hannah’s hunky suitor (Joe Manganiello), and her loving but defensive parents (Blythe Danner, Richard Masur). When Hannah and Andrew’s stormy partnership blossoms into an unexpected connection, they face the possibility that the next chapter in their lives may involve each other. Dianna Argon and Griffin Dunne costar in this startlingly funny and sweetly romantic tale of moving on and finding love in the unlikeliest of places. 

Tumbledown is story about extraordinary people in an ordinary town and for that, this was an incredibly refreshing film to watch. Following the under-appreciated, following the diamond in the rough or at least an extension of that through the widow of a successful musician definitely intrigued me. But it wasn’t what kept me watching.

What kept me watching were the words. If I could read this screenplay, I would in a heartbeat. I was more moved by the words than anything else. In fact, I think I would have absolutely loved this if it were a novel.

On screen, the pacing didn’t always work for me. I liked the tone but sometimes it was too comfortable in that I zoned out for a moment here and there. Or the execution of a scene just didn’t work. But in every moment that I was listening, the words gripped me and I loved that.

I love that it’s a dark romantic comedy and while it has what you’d think when you think of that, at the same time, this movie has its own voice, knows what it wants to be, and doesn’t stray from that. I respect that. I love that about this film.

But overall did this film work for me? I can’t say that it did. I couldn’t forgive the moments that fell flat. But I do see why this screenplay worked because boy is the dialogue just wonderful. For this, I’d still recommend Tumbledown. The heart of this movie beats loud so go ahead and take the plunge on this movie.

Special Features:

The Making of Tumbledown (22:40 minutes) – I actually gained a deeper appreciation for the movie after viewing this feature. Hearing the heart of the story from the screenwriter and seeing how this passion project really affected the cast and crew made me see the film for what it was meant to be and that, I love.

Appearing in This Feature:
Writer, Desi Van Til
Producers, Kristin Hahn, Aaron L. Gilbert, Margot Hand
Director, Sean Mewshaw
Cinematographer, Seamus Tierney
Cast Members, Rebecca Hall, Jason Sudeikis, Blythe Danner, Joe Manganiello, Dianna Agron

The Music Behind Tumbledown (2:48 minutes) – This feature is way too brief to appreciate much anything that’s being said here but it was interesting getting the brief, very honest commentary from Damien Jurado that we did.

Appearing in This Feature:
Voice of Hunter, Damien Jurado
Director, Sean Mewshaw

Own Tumbledown on Blu-ray and DVD today.