Hooking Up (film)

Last updated
Hooking Up
Hooking Up movie poster 2020.jpg
Promotional release poster
Directed byNico Raineau
Written byNico Raineau
Lauren Schacher
Produced by Jordan Yale Levine
Jordan Beckerman
Brittany Snow
Jon Keeyes
StarringBrittany Snow
Sam Richardson
Vivica A. Fox
CinematographyJeff Bierman
Edited byWaldemar Centeno
Music byGregory Townley
Distributed by Saban Films
Release date
  • March 20, 2020 (2020-03-20) [1]
Running time
104 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hooking Up is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by Nico Raineau and starring Brittany Snow and Sam Richardson.

Contents

Plot

In Atlanta, strangers Darla and Bailey cross paths when her court-ordered sexual addiction recovery meeting is held next door to his cancer support group. Bailey, a testicular cancer survivor, works at a gym and is struggling to get over his ex-fiancée, Elizabeth. Darla, a sex columnist, is fired for her increasingly debauched writing and exploits at the office.

After learning that his remaining testicle must be removed, a drunken Bailey stumbles into Darla's meeting by mistake and announces his diagnosis. Desperate to save her career, she invites him on a cross-country road trip: they will revisit the scenes of her past sexual encounters, and recreate them together before his surgery. Bailey agrees, on the condition they visit Dallas, where he hopes to reconnect with Elizabeth. Unbeknownst to Bailey, Darla persuades her former editor, Tanya, to let her publish a daily blog about the trip.

Following a map of her sexual past, Darla and Bailey bond as they have trysts across the country; she writes a blog entry about each encounter, and he secretly Instagrams their trip. Darla discovers Bailey's passion for drawing, and he considers not going through with the surgery. They sneak into a house Darla is reluctant to revisit, where she reveals she had sex with a man she knew was married; his wife walked in on them, drove off, and was paralyzed in a car accident. Stricken with guilt, Darla is comforted by a sympathetic Bailey.

In Dallas, Darla is forced to pose as Bailey's girlfriend and meet his parents, who are dismissive of his art; his mother, Cindy, hopes to reunite him with Elizabeth. Sneaking into Elizabeth's childhood bedroom to recreate losing his virginity, Bailey and Darla spend a romantic night together, kissing for the first time. He discovers her blog before they attend a party at Elizabeth's parents' house, where Elizabeth inadvertently reveals Bailey's posts portraying Darla as his girlfriend. Darla confronts him for using her to make Elizabeth jealous, and he accuses her of using him for her blog, disparaging her writing and sexual past. She humiliates him with the truth in front of Elizabeth and his family, and storms out.

Elizabeth reconnects with Bailey, and he tells her of his new diagnosis. They prepare to return to Atlanta together, but she upsets him by revealing his diagnosis to their parents. Darla has sex with a man she meets at a bar, before angrily sending him away. Visiting her mother, Betty, who shares her destructive behavior, Darla struggles with her final blog post. She is touched to discover Bailey's drawings on their map, and her mother rejects her attempt to discuss addiction.

Arriving in Atlanta, Bailey realizes that he and Elizabeth have outgrown their relationship, and they amicably part ways. Darla makes peace with her mother, who fixes her car, and she arrives at Bailey's support group just as he is describing his appreciation for her. They reconcile, and he undergoes his second orchiectomy, while she commits to treating her sex addiction.

Agreeing to remain platonic friends while they help each other through their recovery, Bailey finds a job as an illustrator, and Darla is offered her job back due to the popularity of her blog, but declines and receives an advance to write her own book. One year later, Bailey's cancer is in remission and Darla has spent a successful year in recovery, and they agree to go on a date.

Cast

Reception

The film has a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's critical consensus reads, "Hooking Up highlights Sam Richardson and Brittany Snow's strengths as leads -- and their limitations when saddled with a deeply subpar script." [3] Tara McNamara of Common Sense Media awarded the film two stars out of five. [4] Alan Ng of Film Threat gave the film a 7 out of 10. [5]

Lisa Kennedy of Variety gave the film a positive review and wrote, "Director Nico Raineau and co-writer Lauren Schacher hug the familiar beats of the form while rubbing up against its conventions with some naughty, sometimes endearing tweaks." [6]

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a negative review and wrote, "You wouldn't think that sex addiction and testicular cancer are topics that could be mined for any but the cheapest of laughs. And Hooking Up would prove you right." [2]

Related Research Articles

Scott Baio American actor

Scott Vincent James Baio is an American actor. He is known for his role as Chachi Arcola on the sitcom Happy Days (1977–1984) and its spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi (1982–1983), and for playing the title character on the sitcom Charles in Charge (1984–1990), Dr. Jack Stewart in the medical-mystery-drama series Diagnosis: Murder (1993–1995), and the titular role of the musical film Bugsy Malone (1976), his onscreen debut.

<i>Ginger Snaps</i> (film) 2000 Canadian comic horror film

Ginger Snaps is a 2000 Canadian supernatural horror film directed by John Fawcett, who also co-wrote the film with Karen Walton. It stars Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle as two teenage sisters who have a fascination with death. The film's supporting cast includes Kris Lemche, Jesse Moss, Danielle Hampton, John Bourgeois, Peter Keleghan and Mimi Rogers.

<i>9½ Weeks</i> 1986 American erotic romantic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne

9+1⁄2 Weeks is a 1986 American erotic romantic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne, and starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Basinger portrays a New York City art gallery employee who has a brief yet intense affair with a mysterious Wall Street broker, played by Rourke. The screenplay by Sarah Kernochan, Zalman King and Patricia Louisianna Knop is adapted from the 1978 memoir of the same name by Austrian-American author Ingeborg Day, under the pseudonym "Elizabeth McGraw".

<i>Just Friends</i> 2005 film by Roger Kumble

Just Friends is a 2005 American Christmas comedy film directed by Roger Kumble, written by Adam 'Tex' Davis and starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris, Chris Klein and Christopher Marquette. The plot focuses on a formerly obese high school student (Reynolds) who attempts to free himself from the friend zone after reconnecting with his best friend (Smart) whom he is in love with while visiting his hometown for Christmas.

<i>Damage</i> (1992 film) 1992 British film

Damage is a 1992 psychological thriller film directed and produced by Louis Malle and starring Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves, and Ian Bannen. Adapted by David Hare from the novel Damage by Josephine Hart, the film is about a British politician (Irons) who has a sexual relationship with his son's soon-to-be fiancée and becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Richardson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as the aggrieved wife of the film's main character.

Hook-up has several meanings:

Russ Owen UK soap opera character, created 2004

Russ Owen is a fictional character in the Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks, played by Stuart Manning. He first appeared in the episode first broadcast on 22 August 2004 with the Owen family and has been involved in storylines including being diagnosed with testicular cancer and kidnapping his son Max McQueen. It was announced in April 2009 that Manning had quit the role and Russ departed in the episode first broadcast on 3 June 2009. Nine years later, it was confirmed that Manning would reprise the role. Russ returned on 13 August 2018 and was killed off on 16 November 2018.

<i>Choke</i> (2008 film) 2008 film by Clark Gregg

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.

<i>The Vicious Kind</i> 2009 film by Lee Toland Krieger

The Vicious Kind is a 2009 drama film directed and written by Lee Toland Krieger. The screenplay was originally set in a small town in Rhode Island, but the film was shot in Norfolk, Connecticut, which also became the characters' hometown. The film stars Adam Scott, Brittany Snow, Alex Frost, and J.K. Simmons. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and opened in Los Angeles on December 11, 2009, at the Laemmle Sunset 5.

Imaginary Bitches is a web series created by Andrew Miller that premiered on May 2, 2008. It comprises thirteen short webisodes released on its website and YouTube.

<i>Trust</i> (2010 film) 2010 American film

Trust is a 2010 American drama thriller film directed by David Schwimmer and based on a screenplay by Andy Bellin and Robert Festinger, and an uncredited story by Schwimmer. It stars Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Viola Davis, Jason Clarke, and Liana Liberato.

<i>Shame</i> (2011 film) 2011 film

Shame is a 2011 British erotic psychological drama film, set in New York, directed by Steve McQueen, co-written by McQueen and Abi Morgan, and starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan as grown siblings. It was co-produced by Film4 and See-Saw Films. The film's explicit scenes reflecting the protagonist's sexual addiction resulted in a rating of NC-17 in the United States. Shame was released in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2012. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for Fassbender's and Mulligan's performance, realistic depiction of sexual addiction, and direction.

<i>Stuck in Love</i> 2012 American film

Stuck in Love is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Josh Boone in his directorial debut. The independent film stars Jennifer Connelly, Greg Kinnear, Lily Collins, Nat Wolff, and Logan Lerman. It focuses on the complicated relationships between a successful novelist, played by Kinnear, his ex-wife (Connelly), their college daughter (Collins), and teenage son (Wolff). The film began a limited theatrical release in the United States on July 5, 2013.

<i>30 Beats</i> 2012 film

30 Beats is a 2012 comedy romance film, written and directed by Alexis Lloyd and starring Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Jason Day and Vahina Giocante. Acquired by Roadside Attractions in Feb 2012, the film also stars Paz de la Huerta and Lee Pace. Roadside Attractions released the film theatrically and on Video on demand on June 1, 2012.

<i>Thanks for Sharing</i> 2012 American film

Thanks for Sharing is a 2012 American comedy-drama film directed by Stuart Blumberg, who co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Winston. The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Gad, Joely Richardson, Patrick Fugit, Carol Kane, and Pink, with a supporting cast including Michaela Watkins, Emily Meade, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.

<i>Addicted</i> (2014 film) 2014 American film

Addicted is a 2014 American erotic thriller drama film directed by Bille Woodruff from a screenplay by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, based on Zane's novel of the same name. It stars Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and William Levy. The film was released in the United States on October 10, 2014, by Lionsgate.

<i>Sleeping with Other People</i> 2015 film by Leslye Headland

Sleeping with Other People is a 2015 American romantic comedy film directed and written by Leslye Headland. The film stars Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Natasha Lyonne, Amanda Peet, and Adam Scott. Premiering at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2015, the film was released theatrically on September 11, 2015, by IFC Films. Sleeping with Other People received generally positive reviews from critics.

<i>A Novel Romance</i> 2011 American film

A Novel Romance is a 2011 comedy-drama film about a chance meeting between two strangers that leads the unlikely pair to become roommates, and despite their differences, the two eventually realize that they have spent all their lives waiting for one another. The film is produced by Morris S. Levy and directed by Allie Dvorin. It stars Steve Guttenberg, Milena Govich and Shannon Elizabeth, with cinematography by Jon Miguel Delgado, editing by Glenn Conte, and a musical score by Michelangelo Sosnowitz.

Mohawk Girls is a comedy-drama series developed by Tracey Deer based on her 2005 documentary Mohawk Girls. The program premiered on OMNI Television and on APTN in the fall of 2014 and entered its fourth season in 2016. It is available for streaming on CBC Gem and it was picked up by Peacock streaming service in 2021.

<i>The Late Bloomer</i> 2016 film by Kevin Pollak

The Late Bloomer is a 2016 American comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Pollak and written by Gary Rosen, Joe Nussbaum, Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove, and Kyle Cooper & Austyn Jeffs. The film stars Johnny Simmons, Maria Bello, Brittany Snow, Jane Lynch, J. K. Simmons, Kumail Nanjiani, Beck Bennett, and Paul Wesley, and is based on journalist Ken Baker's autobiography Man Made: A Memoir of My Body, in which he detailed experiencing puberty for the first time at age 27.

References

  1. ↑ Tabrys, Jason (20 March 2020). "Sam Richardson Talks About Going From 'Com-Com' To 'Rom-Com' In 'Hooking Up'". Uproxx . Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 Scheck, Frank (19 March 2020). "'Hooking Up': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Hooking Up". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  4. ↑ McNamara, Tara (3 April 2020). "Hooking Up". Common Sense Media . Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. ↑ Ng, Alan (20 March 2020). "Hooking Up". Film Threat . Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Kennedy, Lisa (21 March 2020). "'Hooking Up': Film Review". Variety . Retrieved 14 October 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.