Adam | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Rhys Ernst |
Written by | Ariel Schrag |
Based on | Adam 2014 novel by Ariel Schrag |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Shawn Peters |
Edited by | Joe Murphy |
Music by | Jay Wadley |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Wolfe Releasing |
Release dates |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Adam is a 2019 American comedy-drama film directed by Rhys Ernst, from a screenplay by Ariel Schrag, based upon the novel of the same name by Schrag. It stars Nicholas Alexander, Bobbi Menuez, Leo Sheng, Chloe Levine, and Margaret Qualley.
It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019. It was released on August 14, 2019, by Wolfe Releasing.
Shy and nerdy teenager Adam (Nicholas Alexander) spends his last high school summer in NYC with his older sister, who is part of the local lesbian and trans activist scene. Adam meets and develops a crush on a lesbian girl, Gillian (Bobbi Menuez), at an LGBTQ+ party. Gillian assumes that he is a trans man, and Adam confirms the lie, running with the deception in order to win her affection. Adam's struggle and guilt over his deceit increases as the relationship between him and Gillian deepens, eventually leading him to admit that he is not trans. Gillian accepts both this and him, having realized that she is bisexual rather than lesbian. They break up however as the relationship was based on lies, though Adam gains a deep regard toward trans people.
In November 2016, it was announced Desiree Akhavan would direct the film, from a screenplay by Ariel Schrag, based upon her novel of the same name. James Schamus and Howard Gertler would produce the film, while Joe Pirro would serve as an executive producer under their Symbolic Exchange banner. [1] However, Akhavan had to drop out of the film due to scheduling conflicts, and Rhys Ernst ended up directing the film. [2]
It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019. [3] [4] Shortly after, Wolfe Releasing acquired distribution rights to the film. [5] It was released on August 14, 2019. [6]
Adam holds a 74% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, with an average of 6.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Much like its well-meaning but clueless protagonist, Adam occasionally seems to be in over its head -- but its good intentions make those fumbles easier to forgive." [7] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 64 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [8]
Because gender deception is a major plot element of the film (and the novel upon which it is based), it has been the subject of controversy. [9] [10] Director Rhys Ernst, a trans person himself, has acknowledged the criticism of the source material, but says "a primary condition to my working on the project was that I would tell it from a trans perspective" and that "the changes address many of the concerns that have been raised about the novel", [11] as well as stating "the things that people are afraid of, who haven't seen the movie, none of those things are in the movie." [12] He also stated, "There were a lot of changes between the book and the script, so I didn't really dwell on the book that much. I'm seeing my role and vision in this to create a whole new work that's jumping off from the script but not the book so much." [13]
Ernst also responded to online calls to boycott the film, saying, "the idea of boycotting or condemning projects before they're released is not progressive or beneficial. It reminds me of Gamergate, of attempts to shut down a female Ghostbusters movie [...] I don't think I believe in boycotts of cultural products, of art. There are other ways of engaging. I think, you know, burning a book, even the most vile book I can think of — I find that too close to fascism. I'm sorry. I don't believe in that." [14]
Ariel Schrag is an American cartoonist and television writer who achieved critical recognition at an early age for her autobiographical comics. Her novel Adam provoked controversy with its theme of a heterosexual teenage boy becoming drawn into the LGBTQ community of New York. Schrag accepts the label of ‘dyke comic book artist’.
Choke is a 2008 American black comedy film written and directed by Clark Gregg. The film stars Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. Production took place in New Jersey in 2007. It premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was purchased by Fox Searchlight Pictures for distribution. The film was released on September 26, 2008 and the DVD was released on February 17, 2009.
Appropriate Behavior is a British-produced comedy film set in New York City, which premiered on 18 January 2014 at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Desiree Akhavan, the film—Akhavan's feature directorial debut—stars Akhavan as Shirin, a bisexual Persian American woman in Brooklyn struggling to rebuild her life after breaking up with her girlfriend Maxine.
Desiree Akhavan (born December 27, 1984) is an American filmmaker, writer and actress. She is best known for her 2014 feature film debut Appropriate Behavior, and her 2018 film The Miseducation of Cameron Post. She appeared in the found footage horror film Creep 2.
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The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a 2018 coming-of-age drama film directed by Desiree Akhavan and written by Akhavan and Cecilia Frugiuele, based on the 2012 novel by Emily M. Danforth. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz, John Gallagher Jr., Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Marin Ireland, Owen Campbell, Kerry Butler, Quinn Shephard, Emily Skeggs, Melanie Ehrlich, and Jennifer Ehle. Moretz plays a teenager sent to a gay conversion therapy centre. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2018. It was released in the United States on August 3, 2018, by FilmRise, and United Kingdom on September 7, 2018, by Vertigo Releasing. It received positive reviews and has grossed $2 million globally.
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Bobbi Salvör Menuez is an American actor and model. They are the founder of the Luck You artist collective in New York City. Menuez appeared in such films as Something in the Air, The Breakup Girl and White Girl and was a co-star in the Amazon Video series I Love Dick. They have been a curator at MoMA PS1.
I Love Dick is an American television series released on Amazon Prime. Based on the novel of the same name by Chris Kraus, it was created by Joey Soloway and Sarah Gubbins. The pilot premiered on August 19, 2016, and the first season was released on May 12, 2017. On January 17, 2018, the series was canceled after one season.
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