Folk Hero & Funny Guy

Last updated
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
Folk Hero & Funny Guy poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Jeff Grace
Written byJeff Grace
Produced by
  • Ryland Aldrich
  • Jeff Grace
Starring
Cinematography Nancy Schreiber
Edited byJonathan Melin
Music byAdam Ezra
Production
companies
  • Spitfire Studios
  • Chhibber Mann Productions
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures
Release dates
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Folk Hero & Funny Guy is a 2016 American comedy film written, directed, and produced by Jeff Grace, in his directorial debut. It stars Alex Karpovsky, Wyatt Russell, Meredith Hagner, Michael Ian Black, Hannah Simone, Heather Morris, Melanie Lynskey, and David Cross.

Contents

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 16, 2016. It was released in a limited release and through video on demand on May 12, 2017, by Gravitas Ventures.

Plot

Successful singer-songwriter plans to help his friend with his struggling comedy career by hiring him as his opening act on his solo tour.

Cast

Production

In November 2013, a Kickstarter campaign was unveiled to raise funds for the film, with a $50,000 goal being reached. [1] It was also confirmed Jeff Grace would direct the film, from a screenplay he wrote, with Alex Karpovsky, Liza Oppenheimer, starring in the film, while Adam Ezra would be composing the film, as well as composing original songs. [1] In June 2014, it was revealed that Wyatt Russell and Melanie Lynskey joined the cast of the film, with Ryland Aldrich producing alongside Grace. [2] In January 2015, Heather Morris and Meredith Hagner joined the cast of the film. [3]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 16, 2016. [4] Shortly after, Gravitas Ventures acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for a limited release and through video on demand on May 12, 2017. [5]

Reception

Folk Hero & Funny Guy received positive reviews from film critics. As of August 2020, 77% of the 22 critical reviews compiled on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes are positive, with an average rating of 6.14/10. [6]

Kate Walsh of Indiewire.com gave the film a B writing : "“Folk Hero & Funny Guy” is an amiable road movie powered by great music. But it’s much more than just that, with deeply felt, lived in emotions capturing the ups and downs of longterm friendships, the nervous spark of a new attraction, and the power of making amends. It’s a fine showcase for the ranges of Russell and Karpovsky, as well as the winsome Hagner, and signals Grace as a filmmaker to watch." [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Ritter</span> American actor

Jason Morgan Ritter is an American actor. The son of John Ritter and Nancy Morgan, he is known for his work in television series such as Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005), Gravity Falls (2012–2016), Another Period (2015–2018), Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (2017–2018), and Raising Dion (2019–2022). For his portrayal of Mark Cyr on NBC's Parenthood (2010–2014), Ritter was nominated for the 2012 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanie Lynskey</span> New Zealand actress (born 1977)

Melanie Jayne Lynskey is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American accents, she works predominantly in independent films and television. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including three Critics' Choice Awards and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meredith Hagner</span> American actress (born 1987)

Meredith Kathleen Hagner is an American actress. She began her career portraying Liberty Ciccone on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns (2008–2010), which earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series in 2009. Following her departure from As the World Turns, she appeared as a series regular on the FX drama Lights Out (2011) and the TBS sitcom Men at Work (2012–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Karpovsky</span> American actor and film director

Alexander Karpovsky is an American director, actor, screenwriter, producer and film editor. He is best known for playing Ray Ploshansky on the HBO comedy-drama series Girls and Craig Petrosian on the Amazon Prime Video series Homecoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Manning (actor)</span> American actor

Mike Manning is an American actor, producer, reality television personality and activist. Manning gained fame as a cast member on the MTV series The Real World: D.C. in 2009 at 22 years old. Before subsequently embarking on an acting career, he appeared in a number of films and television programs, such as the 2014 Disney Channel original movie Cloud 9, in which he played Nick Swift, Hawaii Five-0, Love Is All You Need? (2016), Teen Wolf, The Call, Son of the South and Days of Our Lives. As a producer, his work includes the documentary Kidnapped for Christ, and The Bay, which won the 2020 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series. He won the 2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Daytime Fiction Program for his performance as Caleb McKinnon.

<i>Supporting Characters</i> 2012 American film

Supporting Characters is a film directed by Daniel Schechter. It was written by Schechter and Tarik Lowe. It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 20, 2012.

Jennifer Prediger is New York City–based actress, writer, and director known for the films Uncle Kent (2011), Red Flag (2012), and Apartment Troubles (2014)—her directorial debut with collaborator Jess Weixler. Prediger also played and wrote Ask Umbra, the "world's most trusted eco advice columnist," on Grist.org.

<i>Well Never Have Paris</i> 2014 American film

We'll Never Have Paris is a 2014 American romantic comedy film directed by Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne. It stars Helberg, Melanie Lynskey, Zachary Quinto, Maggie Grace, Jason Ritter, and Alfred Molina. It is based on the real-life engagement of Helberg to his wife, Towne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyatt Russell</span> American actor and former ice hockey player (born 1986)

Wyatt Hawn Russell is an American actor and former ice hockey player. He portrayed Corporal Lewis Ford in Julius Avery's 2018 horror film Overlord, Dud in AMC's Lodge 49 and John Walker / U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).

<i>Goodbye to All That</i> (film) 2014 American film

Goodbye to All That is a 2014 American romantic comedy-drama film, written and directed by Angus MacLachlan in his directorial debut. Starring Paul Schneider and Melanie Lynskey, the film had its world premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. It began a limited theatrical run in the United States on December 17, 2014, receiving generally positive reviews.

Jeff Grace is a comedian, screenwriter, film producer, film director, and actor. Grace directed Folk Hero & Funny Guy, an independent film starring Wyatt Russell, Alex Karpovsky, Hannah Simone, Heather Morris, Meredith Hagner, and Melanie Lynskey. Grace wrote the screenplay for the film about estranged friends on a journey. He also serves as a director and writer with 99 Tigers, a creative services agency.

<i>Summer of Blood</i> 2014 American film

Summer of Blood is a 2014 horror comedy vampire film written, edited, and directed by Onur Tukel. The film stars Tukel, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Dakota Goldhor, Jason Selvig, and Dustin Guy Defa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Onur Tukel</span> Turkish-american painter, actor and filmmaker

Onur Tukel is a Turkish-American actor, painter, and filmmaker. A notable figure in the New York City independent film community, Tukel's films often deal with issues of gender and relationships.

<i>The Overnight</i> 2015 film by Patrick Brice

The Overnight is a 2015 American sex comedy film written and directed by Patrick Brice, and starring Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, and Judith Godrèche. The film was produced by Naomi Scott and executive produced by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, and Adam Scott.

<i>Rainbow Time</i> 2016 American film

Rainbow Time is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Linas Phillips. The film stars Phillips, Melanie Lynskey, Timm Sharp, Tobin Bell, Jay Duplass, Lauren Weedman and Artemis Pebdani. Mark Duplass, and Jay Duplass serve as executive producers on the film, through their Duplass Brothers Productions banner.

<i>Creative Control</i> (film) 2015 American film

Creative Control is a 2015 American science fiction drama film, directed by Benjamin Dickinson from a screenplay written by Micah Bloomberg and Dickinson. It stars Dickinson, Nora Zehetner, Dan Gill, Alexia Rasmussen, Gavin McInnes and Reggie Watts.

<i>Adventures in Public School</i> 2017 Canadian film

Adventures in Public School is a 2017 Canadian teen comedy film directed by Kyle Rideout, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Josh Epstein. It stars Judy Greer, Daniel Doheny, Siobhan Williams, Andrew McNee, Andrew Herr, Russell Peters, and Grace Park.

Almost Adults is a 2016 Canadian comedy film directed by Sarah Rotella starring Elise Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis. The film is a platonic love story about two lifelong best friends struggling to keep their friendship together as their lives head in different directions. It was written by Adrianna DiLonardo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gravitas Ventures</span> Film distribution company

Gravitas Ventures is a film distribution company owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The company was founded by Nolan Gallagher in Los Angeles, California in 2006 and moved its headquarters to Cleveland, Ohio in 2019. It focuses on the distribution of Independent feature films and documentaries.

Griffin in Summer is a 2024 American independent coming-of-age comedy film. Written and directed by Nicholas Colia in his directorial debut, it stars Everett Blunck, Melanie Lynskey, Owen Teague, Abby Ryder Fortson, and Kathryn Newton.

References

  1. 1 2 "Folk Hero & Funny Guy - A feature film w/Alex Karpovsky". Kickstarter.com . Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  2. McNary, Dave (June 23, 2014). "'22 Jump Street' Star Wyatt Russell on 'Folk Hero & Funny Guy' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  3. Yamato, Jen (January 19, 2015). "Heather Morris, Meredith Hagner Join 'Folk Hero & Funny Guy'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  4. "Folk Hero & Funny Guy". Tribeca Film Festival . Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  5. McNary, Dave (January 18, 2017). "'Folk Hero and Funny Guy': Alex Karpovsky-Wyatt Russell Comedy Finds a Buyer". Variety . Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  6. "Folk Hero & Funny Guy (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  7. Walsh, Kate (April 18, 2016). "Tribeca Review: Amiable And Appealing 'Folk Hero & Funny Guy' Starring Alex Karpovsky And Wyatt Russell". Indiewire.com . Retrieved May 3, 2016.