The Yellow Handkerchief (2008 film)
| The Yellow Handkerchief | |
|---|---|
| File:Yellow handkerchief 2010 film release poster.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Udayan Prasad |
| Written by | Erin Dignam |
| Produced by | Arthur Cohn |
| Starring | William Hurt Maria Bello Kristen Stewart Eddie Redmayne |
| Edited by | Christopher Tellefsen |
| Music by | Eef Barzelay Jack Livesey |
Production company | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Template:Film US |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $15.5 million[1] |
| Box office | $163,039 |
The Yellow Handkerchief is a 2010 independent drama film. Set in the present-day southern United States, The Yellow Handkerchief stars William Hurt as Brett Hanson, an ex-convict who embarks on a road trip. Hanson hitches a ride with two troubled teens, Martine (Kristen Stewart) and Gordy (Eddie Redmayne) traversing post-Hurricane Katrina Louisiana in an attempt to reach his ex-wife and long-lost love, May (Maria Bello). Along the way, the three reflect on their existence, struggle for acceptance, and find their way not only through Louisiana, but through life.[2] Directed by Udayan Prasad and produced by Arthur Cohn, the film was shown at Sundance in 2008 and given a limited release on February 26, 2010 by Samuel Goldwyn Films. The film is loosely based on a short story by writer Pete Hamill.
Plot
After being released from prison after six years, ex-convict Hanson becomes lost in a new and unfamiliar world of freedoms and responsibilities. Struggling to reconcile himself with his disastrous past, he embarks on a journey to his home of Southern Louisiana to reunite with the ex-wife he left behind, May (Maria Bello). Along this journey, he meets two teenagers: Martine (Kristen Stewart), a troubled 15-year-old who has just escaped her family, and Gordy (Eddie Redmayne), a geeky outcast desperately seeking acceptance. Martine and Gordy offer to give Brett a lift home, and on the ensuing road trip the three reflect on their own personal misfit status while discovering in themselves and each other the acceptance each so deeply desires. Brett weighs whether to start a new life or rekindle his love with May -- he's not sure she'll take him back[2] -- while Martine reevaluates her relationships with boys and her family and Gordy struggles with his affection for Martine.
Cast
- William Hurt as Brett Hanson
- Kristen Stewart as Martine
- Maria Bello as May
- Eddie Redmayne as Gordy
Production
In 2003, Cohn obtained remake rights for The Yellow Handkerchief from Shochiku.[3] Financing came from private investments rather than through pre-sales. Cohn commented saying "The money came from four Europeans — three women from Switzerland: Annette Grisard, Jeannine Eckenstein, Esther Grether and a gentleman by the name of Samuel Falk from Austria— all of whom were anxious to support a film they hoped would be memorable without any scenes of violence, brutality or sex. These investors were not concerned that the film would be considered 'small'. They felt, as we do, that there are no small films or big films, only films which are good and emotional and others which are not."[4]
Filming took place in February 2007 and was shot in 43 different locations.
Hurt prepared for his role by spending four days at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, including a rare overnight for a volunteer in a maximum-security cell. In an interview, he said he'd also done "[y]ou'd call it charitable work ... periodically visit[ing] the prisons in Rockland County in New York State to take a program of hope and self-rehabilitation to" the prisoners.[2]
Reception
Critical response
The Yellow Handkerchief received generally positive reviews. It holds a 70% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 38 reviews,[5] as well as a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 on Metacritic.[6] It holds an 83% "Top Critic" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 15 wrote positive reviews while 3 wrote negative reviews.
Box office
The film grossed $318,623 in 29 theaters in the United States.[1]
References
- ^ a b "The Yellow Handkerchief (2010)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
- ^ a b c Interview with William Hurt: Transcript, Terry Gross for Fresh Air, February 25, 2010. Plot summary in interview confirms all but Bello character name in introductory plot summary. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ "Cohn buys up Yellow Handkerchief remake rights". Screen Daily. September 10, 2003. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
- ^ Official film Web site. [dead link]
- ^ "The Yellow Handkerchief (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
- ^ "Yellow Handkerchief, The". Metacritic. Retrieved March 22, 2010.