Ode to Passion

Last updated

Ode to Passion
Ode to Passion poster 2020.jpg
Poster
Directed byJack Danini
Written byJack Danini
Produced byJack Danini
Carey Rothman
Starring Giuseppe Bausilio
Julia Nightingale
Jeff Smith
Victoria Meade
Kaylor Otwell
Marcus Harmon
Al Pagano
CinematographyDarren Joe
Edited byJack Danini
Martin Apelbaum
Music byJack Danini
Yoo Soo Kim
Production
company
Jack Danini Productions
Distributed byJack Danini Productions
Release dates
  • March 21, 2020 (2020-03-21)(Queens World Film Festival)
  • July 10, 2020 (2020-07-10)(Amazon Prime Video)
Running time
128 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Ode to Passion is a 2020 American musical romantic drama film starring Giuseppe Bausilio, Julia Nightingale, Jeff Smith and Victoria Meade. The film was written and directed by Jack Danini in his feature directorial debut. [1]

Contents

The film was scheduled to premiere at the 2020 Queens World Film Festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival happened virtually, with the film absent from the screenings. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on July 10, 2020.

Plot

In New York City, a young writer's resolute belief in true love is put to the test by a beautiful girl and her struggle with addiction. [2]

Cast

Director Jack Danini makes a cameo as one of the friends John, Richi and Father Conor play poker with.

Production

Development

Danini took a unique approach to write all of the film's dialogue in verse, similar to the writings of Goethe's Faust and Arthur Rimbaud, to complement the film's pace and create a "constant melodic rhythm".[ citation needed ]

Pre-production and filming

Casting the film and the recording sessions of the songs took place three months into 2017. It was shot entirely on location in New York City throughout October of that year.[ citation needed ]

Music

The film's musical numbers were written by Jack Danini and produced by Yoo Soo Kim, who also scored the film. The soundtrack was made available for pre-order on iTunes on June 20, 2020 and was released on July 3, 2020, a week before the film's release. An additional song, "Crying When a Train Goes By," was shot but cut from the final film. However, it was included as a bonus track on the soundtrack and the actual scene can be viewed as a bonus clip with the film on Amazon Prime Video. [3]

Musical numbers

  • "I Met a Girl" – Michael, Sarah, John and Alexa
  • "Past Relationships" – Michael and Sarah
  • "Trouble" – Richy and John
  • "Baby, There You Are!/Passion, Passion" – Sarah and Michael
  • "The Morning After" – Sarah and Michael
  • "It's Real" – Michael and Sarah
  • "Tonight Is Ours" – Alexa
  • "Afraid of Love" – John, Alexa, Michael, Sarah, Kate and Richy
  • "Dreams Aside" – John and Michael
  • "Girl of My Dreams" – Michael and Sarah
  • "Living In Your Dreams" – John
  • "You're The Lucky One" – Michael and John
  • "What's It All About, Charlie?" – Lead Singer of Bar Band
  • "Are You Fucking High Again!" – Michael and Sarah
  • "Kate's Dreams" – John and Kate
  • "All The Things You Wanted" – John
  • "You're Gone" – Michael
  • "Dear Lord" – Michael

Release

Ode to Passion was scheduled to premiere at the Queens World Film Festival on March 21, 2020. [4] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival happened virtually, with the film absent from the screenings. [5] The screenplay was nominated for Best Screenplay, and Julia Nightingale was nominated for Best Actress at the festival. [6]

It was released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on July 10, 2020 with other platforms to follow later in the summer. [7] It was released in 4K on Vimeo on July 24, 2020. [8]

The film then held a private physical screening at the AMC Edinburg 18 in Edinburg, Texas on October 4, 2020, which was attended by Danini and his personal friends and family. [9]

It screened virtually at the 27th Annual CineSol Film Festival on December 20, 2020 and won Best Feature. [10]

Reception

The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the cinematography, performances, directing and writing. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Ode to Passion holds an approval rating of 33% and an average rating of 4.8/10, based on six reviews. [11] Film critic Jackie K. Cooper wrote a positive review of the film, saying "Jack Danini has created the best love movie of the year. Ode to Passion is quirky and original, full of love and romance. It is a musical full of lyrical cuplets between the songs." [12]

Peter Debruge of Variety was also positive about the film, writing "Allegedly 20 years in the making, Ode to Passion is simultaneously a celebration of love at first sight and a more jaded look at the way relationships play out. It’s not as ingenious as Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years , which set its core couple moving in opposite directions. But Ode is ultimately deeper and wiser than its instant-infatuation opening suggests. Embrace the cheese and writer-director Jack Danini’s indie rock musical — set in New York and written entirely in verse — just might win you over." [13]

Taryn Smith of Picture This Post praised the cinematography, saying that it "helps bring all the scenes to life by showing us the many sides of the city—from the colorful, fun night life to the dingy subway. The sweeping motions of the camera also serve to heighten our response. We are as dizzy, caught up and intoxicated by Sarah and Michael’s new love as they are. We also are dragged to the lowest of lows in scenes with stark lighting contrasts as their relationship suffers its many downs." [14]

Alan Ng of Film Threat was mixed about the film, saying "There is just as much right going for the film as there is wrong and, sadly, Ode to Passion falls short of being something special. Jack Danini, though, has the makings of becoming a great director and also has a good sense of story, which is vital to directing." [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Ryan</span> American actress (born 1961)

Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, known professionally as Meg Ryan, is an American actress. Known for her leading roles as quirky, charismatic women since the late 1980s, Ryan is particularly recognized for her work in romantic comedies, a genre she dominated during the 1980s and 1990s. Dubbed "America's Sweetheart" by the media, she became one of Hollywood's most bankable stars of the latter decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taryn Manning</span> American actress and singer

Taryn Manning is an American actress and singer. She is best known for portraying Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), Cherry in Sons of Anarchy (2008–2010), Nola in Hustle & Flow (2005) and Janeane in 8 Mile (2002).

James David Catto is a British musician, video director, photographer, and script editor. He was a founding member of Faithless, before leaving in 1999 to form 1 Giant Leap.

<i>Conspiracy of Silence</i> (2003 film) 2003 British film

Conspiracy of Silence is a British drama film set in Ireland and inspired by real events. The film challenges celibacy and its implication for the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giuseppe Bausilio</span> Swiss actor, dancer, singer And Producer

Giuseppe Bausilio is a Swiss actor, dancer, and singer. Bausilio is known for his theater roles, such portrayal of "Billy" in the Broadway, Chicago, and National Tour productions of Billy Elliot the Musical, as well as his performances as "Race" and "Davey" in the Broadway production of Newsies the Musical. He also starred as Alfie in fourth season of the Canadian television series The Next Step, and as Michael Fiorelli in the 2020 film Ode to Passion.

Richard Glatzer was an American writer and director.

<i>Electric Dreams</i> (2017 TV series) Science fiction anthology television series

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, or simply Electric Dreams, is a science fiction television anthology series based on the works of 20th-century writer Philip K. Dick. Written by British and American writers, the series consists of ten standalone 50-minute episodes serving as adaptations of Dick's work—nine short stories and one novelette ("Autofac"). Electric Dreams premiered on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2017, and in the United States on Amazon Prime Video on 12 January 2018.

<i>Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot</i> 2018 film directed by Gus Van Sant

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot is a 2018 American comedy drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and based upon the memoir of the same name by John Callahan. The cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and Jack Black, and follows a recently paralyzed alcoholic who finds a passion for drawing off-color newspaper cartoons.

<i>American Driver</i> 2017 Nigerian film

American Driver is a 2017 Nigerian comedy film directed by Moses Inwang and starring Evan King, Jim Iyke, Anita Chris, Nse Ikpe Etim, McPc the Comedian, Emma Nyra, Laura Heuston and Ayo Makun.

<i>Jack Ryan</i> (TV series) American television series

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan is an American political action thriller television series based on characters from the fictional "Ryanverse" created by Tom Clancy. Replacing the characters of the novels with those set in modern time, it depicts CIA analyst Jack Ryan who is played by John Krasinski. The series was created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. Cuse, Roland, and Krasinski serve as executive producers, alongside Michael Bay, Morten Tyldum, and Brad Fuller, among others.

<i>Radioactive</i> (film) 2019 film by Marjane Satrapi

Radioactive is a 2019 British biographical drama film directed by Marjane Satrapi, written by Jack Thorne, and starring Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie. The film is based on the 2010 graphic novel Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by the American artist Lauren Redniss.

Tartan Features is a filmmaking network and distribution platform based in Scotland. It supports the production of micro-budget feature films.

<i>Modern Love</i> (TV series) American anthology television series

Modern Love is an American romantic comedy anthology television series developed by John Carney, based on the weekly column of the same name published by The New York Times, that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 18, 2019. In October 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which was released on August 13, 2021.

<i>Without Remorse</i> (film) 2021 film by Stefano Sollima

Without Remorse is a 2021 American action thriller film directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples. It is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Luke Mitchell, Jack Kesy, Brett Gelman, Lauren London, Colman Domingo and Guy Pearce. Its plot follows John Kelly, a U.S. Navy SEAL who sets out on a path of revenge after his pregnant wife and unit members are killed by Russian hitmen.

<i>A League of Their Own</i> (2022 TV series) American television series

A League of Their Own is an American comedy drama television series co-created by Will Graham and Abbi Jacobson, who also stars. It is an adaptation of the 1992 film of the same name with new characters and storylines, about the formation of a World War II-era women's professional baseball team. Chanté Adams, D'Arcy Carden, Roberta Colindrez, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack, Molly Ephraim, Melanie Field, and Priscilla Delgado also star. The series premiered with 8 episodes on August 12, 2022. The series was renewed in March 2023 for a four-episode final season, but in August 2023, Amazon announced that the second season would be scrapped due to delays caused by the WGA strike.

Charlie Shotwell is an American actor. He started acting professionally at the age of six. His first notable role being the young Nai Cash in the 2016 comedy-drama film Captain Fantastic for which he received nominations for SAG Awards and Young Artist Awards. He was lead of the Netflix horror film Eli and the coming-of-age psychological thriller John and the Hole, and appeared in the comedy film Troop Zero.

<i>Small Axe</i> (anthology) 2020 British anthology film series by Steve McQueen

Small Axe is a British anthology film series, created and directed by Steve McQueen. The anthology consists of five films that tell distinct stories about the lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s. Two episodes of the series were selected into the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. The series premiered on 15 November 2020 on BBC One in the United Kingdom and on 20 November 2020 on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. The title references a proverb – "Small axe fall big tree" or "If you are the big tree, we are the small axe" – that was popularised by Bob Marley in his 1973 song "Small Axe".

<i>Lovers Rock</i> (2020 film) 2020 film of Small Axe anthology film series

Lovers Rock is a 2020 romance film directed by Steve McQueen and co-written by McQueen and Courttia Newland. It stars Micheal Ward and Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn. The film was released as part of the anthology series Small Axe on BBC One on 22 November 2020 and Amazon Prime Video on 27 November 2020. It premiered as an opening film at the 58th New York Film Festival on 24 September 2020.

<i>Good Night Oppy</i> 2022 American documentary film

Good Night Oppy is a 2022 American documentary film directed by Ryan White and narrated by Angela Bassett. It had its world premiere at the 2022 Telluride Film Festival on September 3, 2022. It was released in a limited release on November 4, 2022, by Amazon Studios, prior to streaming on Prime Video on November 23, 2022.

References

  1. "ODE TO PASSION by Jack Danini". QueensWorldFilmFestival.com. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. "SYNOPSIS - ODE TO PASSION - a film by Jack Danini" . Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  3. "ODE TO PASSION DEBUTS ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO JULY 10" . Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  4. "ODE TO PASSION Premieres at Queens World Film Festival". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  5. "ODE TO PASSION Premieres at Queens World Film Festival". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  6. "Festival Nominees @ Queens World Film Festival". www.queensworldfilmfestival.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  7. "ODE TO PASSION DEBUTS ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO JULY 10" . Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  8. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/odetopassion/440472679 [ dead link ]
  9. DeGuzman, A. Colleen (October 3, 2020). "McAllen High grad's first film gets private Edinburg premiere". The Monitor.
  10. "27th Annual CineSol (Virtual) Film Festival winners". December 22, 2020.
  11. "Ode to Passion". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  12. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : Best Love Movie Of The Year! | Ode To Passion Review. YouTube .
  13. Debruge, Peter (July 10, 2020). "'Ode to Passion': Film Review". Variety .
  14. Smith, Taryn (March 29, 2020). "ODE TO PASSION Film Review: Love and Loss in NYC". Picture This Post.
  15. Ng, Alan (July 10, 2020). "ODE TO PASSION". Film Threat.