As They Made Us

Last updated

As They Made Us
As They Made Us.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Mayim Bialik
Written byMayim Bialik
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDavid Feeney-Mosier
Edited by
  • Nick Wright
  • Monica Salazar
Music byKevin Besignano
Production
companies
Distributed by Quiver Distribution
Release date
  • April 8, 2022 (2022-04-08)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

As They Made Us is a 2022 American drama film written, directed and produced by Mayim Bialik, in her feature directorial debut. The film stars Dianna Agron, Simon Helberg, Candice Bergen, Dustin Hoffman, Julian Gant, Charlie Weber and Justin Chu Cary. The plot follows Abigail (Agron) and the last moments that she and her family spend with her dying father (Hoffman). It was released in theaters and on video on demand by Quiver Distribution on April 8, 2022. It received positive reviews from critics.

Contents

Plot

A series of flashbacks showcases Abigail's childhood and upbringing. In the present day, Abigail is a divorced mother of two boys. A specialist recommends that she hire a caregiver for her parents, Barbara and Eugene, when the latter loses his ability to walk. As the days progress, Eugene is put in a hospice, with a prognosis of having approximately six months to live, devastating Barbara.

Abigail visits her estranged brother, Nathan. Nathan talks to Eugene, but refuses to visit Barbara. Abigail begins a relationship with Jay, a landscaper. Eugene confesses his love for Barbara before dying a few days later. Abigail and Barbara attend his funeral, but Nathan is emotionally unable to attend himself. Abigail argues with Nathan for leaving her alone during this emotionally difficult time. Six months later, Nathan invites Abigail to his daughter's graduation party and they reconnect.

Cast

Production

In September 2019, it was reported that actress Mayim Bialik would make her feature-film writing and directing debut with the drama, As Sick as They Made Us. [1] In November 2019, it was announced that Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg and Olivia Thirlby would star. [2] In a December 2020 interview, Bialik said that it would be filmed after the COVID-19 pandemic. [3]

In April 2021, it was reported that Dianna Agron had replaced Thirlby due to the schedule disruption caused by the pandemic. [4] In June 2021, Justin Chu Cary and Charlie Weber joined the cast, as filming commenced in New Jersey. [5]

The film was reportedly inspired by Bialik's experience with her father's death a few years prior. [6]

Release

In February 2022, the film was acquired by Quiver Distribution, which released it in theaters and on VOD April 8, 2022. [7]

Reception

On the review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of 21 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. [8] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [9]

The New York Times gave the film a positive review, describing it as an "engagingly compassionate directorial debut", and praising the ensemble's adept performances, particularly Agron's portrayal. [10]

In her review for RogerEbert.com, film critic Christy Lemire gave the film 2.5 stars out of 4. She noted that the film finds strong moments in understated scenes, allowing for nuanced character dynamics. She highlighted an initial unevenness in the movie's pacing, stemming from the alternating narrative structure, but acknowledged the film's effectiveness in portraying everyday moments, and the sensitive handling of themes related to loss and family dynamics, with Agron's performance particularly noteworthy. [11]

Variety praised Agron's subtle performance, and acknowledged Bialik's strategic use of seasoned actors, like Hoffman and Bergen. The review commended the director's adept handling of storytelling rhythms, and the film's insights into grief and relationships, although it noted that it leaves a "minor, even inconsequential" impression compared to other films in its thematic genre. [12]

William Bibbiani of TheWrap praised Bialik's "impressive feature debut", describing it as a "sensitive portrayal of end-of-life care". He noted that Bialik finds a "shocking amount of pity" for the protagonist's abusive parents, and lauded Bergen's standout performance as a self-centered matriarch. While acknowledging some unevenness in the film's construction, particularly in attempts to de-age Hoffman, and editing nuances, Bibbiani underscored its triumph as a character-driven showcase. [13]

The Jerusalem Post labeled the film as "very Jewish", and highlighted its relatability, stating that "nearly everyone will see themselves – or at least, aspects of themselves – among the characters". Commending Hoffman's transformative depiction of a man's delayed self-discovery, as well as Bergen's portrayal of an amusingly irksome mother, the review also praised the skillful interplay of comedy and tragedy within scenes. The review acknowledged minor flaws, but concluded that the well-paced film effectively engendered viewer empathy for the characters' journey toward catharsis. [6]

Richard Roeper of the Chicago-Sun Times delivered a less favorable critique, giving the film a 2 rating out of 4. Acknowledging the commendable cast and Bialik's skilled pacing, he described the film as "depressingly downbeat", attributing discomfort to the "thoroughly unlikeable and irredeemable" characters portrayed by Hoffman and Bergen. Roeper highlighted the authentic dialogue and strong performances, yet emphasized the persistent somber atmosphere, ultimately suggesting that Abigail's better course might have been to distance herself from her troubled past. [14]

Writing for LA Weekly , Michael Atkinson commented on the recurring theme of generational films, noting how Hollywood's late Baby boomer/early Gen X cohort's current focus was on movies about aging parents. Discussing the film's portrayal of parental dysfunction, he pointed out moments of sensitivity juxtaposed with pop-culture humor that occasionally feels excessive. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dustin Hoffman</span> American actor (born 1937)

Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor and filmmaker. As one of the key actors in the formation of New Hollywood, Hoffman is known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable characters. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Hoffman has received numerous honors, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1997, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1999, and the Kennedy Center Honors Award in 2012. Actor Robert De Niro has described him as "an actor with the everyman's face who embodied the heartbreakingly human".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candice Bergen</span> American actress (born 1946)

Candice Patricia Bergen is an American actress. She won five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of the title character on the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown. She is also known for her role as Shirley Schmidt on the ABC drama Boston Legal (2005–2008). In films, Bergen was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Starting Over (1979) and for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Gandhi (1982).

<i>Blossom</i> (TV series) American sitcom

Blossom is an American sitcom that aired for five seasons on NBC. Debuting as a pilot preview on July 5, 1990, it premiered as a mid-season replacement on January 3, 1991, and aired until May 22, 1995. Don Reo created the series, which starred Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo, a teenager who lived with her father and two elder brothers. It was produced by Reo's Impact Zone Productions and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Touchstone Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayim Bialik</span> American actress, television personality, and author (born 1975)

Mayim Chaya Bialik is an American actress, author and former game show host. From 1991 to 1995, she played the title character of the NBC sitcom Blossom. From 2010 to 2019, she played neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, for which she was nominated four times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2015 and 2017. Bialik shared hosting duties of Jeopardy! with Ken Jennings on a rotating basis between August 2021 and December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Jennings</span> American game show host (born 1974)

Kenneth Wayne Jennings III is an American game show host, author, and former game show contestant. He is the highest-earning American game show contestant, having won money on five different game shows, including $4,522,700 on the U.S. game show Jeopardy!. From 2021 to 2023, Jennings and Mayim Bialik alternated as hosts of that show, as well as Celebrity Jeopardy! In 2023, Jennings received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Game Show. In December 2023, Jennings was announced as Jeopardy!’s permanent main host.

<i>Shiksa</i> Term for a non-Jewish woman or girl

Shiksa is an often disparaging, although not always, term for a gentile woman or girl. The word, which is of Yiddish origin, has moved into English usage and some Hebrew usage, mostly in North American Jewish culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheyenne Jackson</span> American actor and singer

Cheyenne David Jackson is an American actor and singer. His credits include leading roles in Broadway musicals and other stage roles, as well as film and television roles, concert singing, and music recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michiel Huisman</span> Dutch actor (born 1981)

Michiel Huisman is a Dutch actor, musician, and singer-songwriter, recognized for his roles in Dutch and international film and television projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dianna Agron</span> American actress and singer (born 1986)

Dianna Elise Agron is an American actress and singer. After dancing and starring in small musical theater productions in her youth, Agron made her screen debut in 2006, and in 2007, she played recurring character Debbie Marshall on Heroes and had her first leading role. In 2009, she took the role of the antagonistic but sympathetic head cheerleader Quinn Fabray on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. For her role in the series, she won a SAG Award and, as part of the cast, was nominated for the Brit Award for Best International Breakthrough Act, among other accolades.

<i>The Romantics</i> (film) 2010 American film

The Romantics is a 2010 American romantic comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Galt Niederhoffer, who also wrote the screenplay and directed the film.

<i>The Earth Day Special</i> American TV series or program

The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April 22, 1990. Sponsored by Time Warner, the two-hour special featured an ensemble cast addressing concerns about pollution, deforestation, and other environmental ills.

<i>The Family</i> (2013 film) 2013 film by Luc Besson

The Family is a 2013 black comedy crime film co-written and directed by Luc Besson, starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron, and John D'Leo. It follows a Mafia family in the witness protection program who want to change their lives. It is based on the French novel Malavita by Tonino Benacquista.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dustin Hoffman filmography</span>

American actor Dustin Hoffman began his career by appearing in an episode of Naked City in 1961. His first theatrical performance was 1961's Shmem needs a shink as Ridzinski. Following several guest appearances on television, he starred in the 1966 play Eh?; his performance garnered him both a Theatre World Award and Drama Desk Award. Hoffman made his film debut in 1967 when he appeared in the comedy The Tiger Makes Out. In the same year, his breakthrough role as Benjamin "Ben" Braddock, the title character in Mike Nichols' comedy-drama The Graduate, led to Hoffman achieving star status and his first Academy Award nomination. He then acted in the play Jimmy Shine as the eponymous character and the comedy film Madigan's Millions. In 1969, he starred alongside Jon Voight in the Academy Award for Best Picture winner Midnight Cowboy, for which Hoffman was nominated a second time for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

<i>Zipper</i> (film) 2015 American film

Zipper is a 2015 American political thriller film written and directed by Mora Stephens and starring Patrick Wilson, Lena Headey, Dianna Agron, Richard Dreyfuss, Ray Winstone, and Penelope Mitchell. The film had its world premiere on January 27, 2015 at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was released on August 28, 2015, in a limited release in the United States and through video on demand by Alchemy. The film follows a federal prosecutor running for office who cannot stop himself from sleeping with high-class escorts, putting both his career and his personal life at risk.

<i>The Meyerowitz Stories</i> 2017 film by Noah Baumbach

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed and written by Noah Baumbach. The film stars Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel and Emma Thompson, and follows a group of dysfunctional adult siblings trying to live in the shadow of their father.

<i>Novitiate</i> (film) 2017 American drama film by Maggie Betts

Novitiate is a 2017 American drama film written and directed by Maggie Betts in her feature directorial debut. Starring Margaret Qualley, Melissa Leo, Morgan Saylor, Dianna Agron, Julianne Nicholson, Liana Liberato, Denis O'Hare, and Maddie Hasson, the film follows a young woman (Qualley) who starts to question her faith as she trains to become a nun.

<i>Book Club</i> (film) 2018 film by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms

Book Club is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Bill Holderman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Erin Simms. The film stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen as four friends who read Fifty Shades of Grey as part of their monthly book club, and subsequently begin to change how they view their personal relationships.

<i>Call Me Kat</i> American television sitcom (2021–2023)

Call Me Kat is an American television sitcom largely based on the British sitcom Miranda by Miranda Hart that aired on Fox from January 3, 2021, to May 4, 2023. The series stars Mayim Bialik as Kat, and includes Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, Julian Gant, and Swoosie Kurtz. Leslie Jordan was also featured until his death on October 24, 2022. The series was developed by Darlene Hunt. In May 2023, the show was canceled after three seasons.

<i>Clock</i> (film) 2023 film by Alexis Jacknow

Clock is a 2023 American science fiction horror film written and directed by Alexis Jacknow in her feature-length debut, based on her 2020 short film of the same name. The film stars Dianna Agron. It was released on Hulu in the United States on April 28, 2023, and on Disney+ internationally.

References

  1. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (September 9, 2019). "Mayim Bialik To Make Screenwriting And Directing Debut With 'As Sick As They Made Us' – Toronto". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ Ritman, Alex (November 8, 2019). "Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen Team for 'Sick as They Made Us'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ Keveney, Bill (December 31, 2020). "Mayim Bialik charts post-'Big Bang' path with Fox's 'Call Me Kat,' podcast: 'I get to be more myself'". USA Today . Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  4. ↑ Kit, Borys (March 31, 2021). "Dianna Agron Joins Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen in Mayim Bialik's 'As Sick as They Made Us'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ Grater, Tom (June 23, 2021). "Justin Chu Cary & Charlie Weber Join Dustin Hoffman In Mayim Bialik's 'As Sick As They Made Us' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Brown, Hannah (April 13, 2022). "Mayim Bialik's very Jewish directorial debut - review". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  7. ↑ Grobar, Matt (February 10, 2022). "Quiver Acquires Mayim Bialik's Feature Directorial Debut 'As They Made Us' Starring Dianna Agron, Simon Helberg, Candice Bergen & Dustin Hoffman, Sets April Release". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ "As They Made Us". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  9. ↑ "As They Made Us". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ Kennedy, Lisa (April 7, 2022). "'As They Made Us' Review: If the Apple Falls, Who Retrieves It? (Published 2022)". The New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Lemire, Christy. "As They Made Us movie review & film summary (2022) | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  12. ↑ Laffly, Tomris (April 7, 2022). "'As They Made Us' Review: Dianna Agron's Graceful Performance Grounds Mayim Bialik's Debut". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ Bibbiani, William (April 8, 2022). "As They Made Us Film Review: Mayim Bialik's Impressive Feature Debut Explores Family Crisis". TheWrap . Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ Roeper, Richard (April 6, 2022). "'As They Made Us': Mayim Bialik directs her first feature, and it's a bummer". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ Atkinson, Michael (April 14, 2022). "Mayim Bialik's As They Made Us Dredges Drama and Trauma - LA Weekly". LA Weekly . Retrieved August 20, 2023.
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.