Review| The Hollars

The Hollars is a film that has been unfortunately glossed over by many critics and (judging by the box office numbers) audiences – including myself, until recently. I wasn’t planning on seeing this movie and had little to no expectations going in. However, my wife adores both Anna Kendrick and John Krasinski, and since I adore my wife, I agreed to see it…and I’m glad I did.

John Krasinski not only stars but also directs, and proves himself to be just as capable a director as he is an actor. I enjoyed his work on The Office, and he has taken his comedic chops to the next level. Not only is the comedy good, but the emotion feels real between characters and in quiet moments, courtesy of a strong ensemble cast.

This is a touching and funny movie that gives a very real look at modern family dynamics. The Hollars as a family brought up a lot of issues that many families go through: guilt, resentment, regret. But the film touches on how, despite all this, families stick together and support one another. It’s also a reflection on how everyone looks to their closest relationships for assurance about life.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Stuff I Liked

John Krasinski really sells this movie, both as a director and actor. His direction is very plain and natural, which totally works for the simple story he’s telling. The characters are his main focus and he spends very little time on fancy camera work. It’s the hallmark of a director who is in control of a story.

As an actor, Krasinski’s natural charisma is wonderful to watch. His comedic timing is perfect; it was easy for the audience to know how to feel in the film’s crazy situations when we can look at Krasinski’s face. His deadpan looks are hilarious, like a man hopelessly lost in a sea of chaos. He also emotes very well, like conveying John Hollar’s attempt to keep his cool, even though he looks like he wants to crawl into a hole and die.

Being a movie about family, what made The Hollars really pop was the chemistry between the actors. This is a true ensemble cast, with every person playing an important role to bring the story to life. There seemed to be history between these people; it was believable and palpable in their interactions.

Going further, it’s really refreshing when a movie has characters with actual personalities, flaws, and idiosyncrasies that are consistent. Ron Hollar, expertly played by Sharlto Copley, is a frustrated divorcé resenting his brother John’s life situation and lashes out in strange (and funny) ways because he’s unable to deal with the feelings he carries. I got all of that from Ron’s lines and actions throughout the film – delivered in a clear and concise way. It’s something that should be more frequent in film today but isn’t.

The prevailing tone of this movie is familial awkwardness, and it makes for great comedy with which we can all relate. Krasinski definitely learned from his time on The Office how to milk an awkward moment for all its worth. My favorite was the scene where Ron creepily spies on his ex-wife while John is still in the car with him, leading to a teeth-gnashing encounter with the ex’s new man – a youth pastor (played by singer Josh Groban).

Stuff I Didn’t Like

There wasn’t much I didn’t like. This movie just clicks and wastes very little time saying what it needs to say.

There was, however, one scene I thought was superfluous: the follow-up with the doctor, in which Ronnie tells John not to offend the doctor, and yet ends up insulting the man’s ethnicity himself. The scene is definitely funny, but there was no real reason for the brothers to go back to the doctor. The actual reason (John wanting the doctor to explain the procedure) was never really resolved due to Ronnie’s awkward offensiveness.

The movie itself ends on a good note, but there isn’t as much resolution as I would have liked. I would have liked to have seen John and Rebecca’s twins, and the rest of the family’s reaction to them (the film ends with the two parents-to-be wheeling toward the delivery room). The drama between John, John’s ex-girlfriend Gwen and Gwen’s husband Jason was dropped when their awkward dinner ended. It would have been nice if there was a short nod to that situation later in the film. But then again, I like things tied up in a bow generally.

Stuff to Ponder

When Sally’s brain tumor was diagnosed, all of the Hollar men met the tragic news with a degree of embarrassment because they hadn’t communicated with one another for months and years. Ron resented John’s lack of communication and saw it as a sign of John’s elitism, and uses it to cover his own failures. John feels guilty for not talking to his parents more often. And Donald is filled with regret because he didn’t recognize his wife’s symptoms sooner. They all spend the rest of the film trying to reconcile their feelings in their own ways and come closer together.

Our families should be a haven for us to go, and should be a place where we get honest positive communication. I realize that some have better relationships with their families than others, though. We desire positive communication in our lives, especially when tragedy strikes. We want to be reassured that everything will be okay. Our lives may be crumbling before us, but we want to hope that things will get better.

“…We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

We have this hope, this desire on our hearts because of the way we created to feel a hope for better things to come. The God who created us assures us many times throughout the Bible that things are going to be okay.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

A tragedy like Sally’s illness and later death are a big blow to a family. However, as seen in the film, this tragic event brought the family closer together. Hard feelings were made right. Pride was lifted. Life could go on. God works in all things, good and bad. It may not be they way we want it, but it is always for the best because He is in control and knows best.

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So What I’m Trying to Say is

The Hollars is a very good movie, and I would highly recommend that you give the film some love and see it in the theater. It’s a shame that the critical consensus appears to be that the film is “unoriginal,” but so what? The story may not be unique, but the characters are so likable and relatable that you genuinely want to know what happens to them.

The Hollars themselves are a reflection of many aspects of modern family dynamics. In the fast pace of life, we sometimes forget how important it is to communicate with our family. This film does a great job at conveying our need to be reassured by those closest to us that things will get better in the midst of hardship. God, the One closest to us more than anyone, reassures us over and over that bad things will pass and will be used for good and His glory.