| Terri | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Azazel Jacobs |
| Screenplay by | Patrick deWitt |
| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Tobias Datum |
| Edited by | Darrin Navarro |
| Music by | Mandy Hoffman |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | ATO Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $655,802[1][2] |
Terri is a 2011 Americancoming-of-agecomedy-drama film directed byAzazel Jacobs from a screenplay byPatrick deWitt, based on a story by deWitt and Jacobs. It starsJacob Wysocki in the title role, withCreed Bratton,Olivia Crocicchia,Bridger Zadina, andJohn C. Reilly in supporting roles. It revolves around an oversized teen misfit who strikes up a friendship with his garrulous but well-meaningvice-principal.
The film had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festival on January 22, 2011, and was given alimited theatrical release in the United States on July 1, 2011, by ATO Pictures. It received positive reviews from critics, who mostly praised the performances of Wysocki and Reilly, while deWitt was nominated forBest First Screenplay at the27th Independent Spirit Awards.
Overweight and depressed 15-year-old Terri Thompson starts to slack off in school and wear pajamas, to the chagrin of his teachers. Soon Terri is taken under the wing of unconventional assistant principal Mr. Fitzgerald, who creates a series of Monday-morning counseling sessions for social outcasts at the school.
The idea forTerri was conceived byPatrick deWitt in 2008, and the first pages of the screenplay were sent toAzazel Jacobs in early 2010.[3] Jacobs received a "story by" credit, saying:
I had the full intention of being a co-writer, but after the story was developed and Pat started to send me pages, I soon saw there was not much for me to do other than slight edits and sequencing suggestions. After the first draft was completed it was very clear that it really came from him, and I pulled my [screenplay] credit.[4]
Principal photography took place inAltadena andSan Gabriel, California. Made for under $2 million, the film was shot in 23 days in June 2010.[5]
In September 2010, ATO Pictures acquired U.S distribution rights to the film.[6] International sales were handled by Visit Films.[7]Terri had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festival on January 22, 2011.[8] It was then released inselect theaters in New York and Los Angeles on July 1, and onDVD on October 12, 2011.[5]
Terri made $82,521 from six theaters in its opening weekend, an average of $13,754 per venue.[9][10] The film ultimately grossed $655,802 in the United States.[1][2]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 87% of 97 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Embodied with compelling sensitivity by newcomer Jacob Wysocki and supported by a wonderful John C. Reilly,Terri is an emotionally powerful character study."[11]Metacritic, which uses aweighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[12]
A. O. Scott ofThe New York Times stated, "What makesTerri special is that you don't feel pushed around by the narrative. Mr. Jacobs paces his scenes with a relaxed, almost dreamy rhythm and allows odd, interesting details to catch his ear and eye. […] The members of the cast, Mr. Wysocki in particular, are awkward in just the right way."[13]
Ann Hornaday ofThe Washington Post gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and described it as "a small masterpiece of misdirection, a winsome, utterly unpredictable portrait of adolescence that flawlessly captures its cruelty and sweetness." Hornaday opined, "Thanks to Jacobs's observant eye and ear,Terri moves with the same endearing ease as its troubled but true-blue title character."[14]
Betsy Sharkey of theLos Angeles Times wrote, "Jacobs and deWitt use Terri's circumstances to circle a series of serious, and seriously uncomfortable, issues. DeWitt captures the way people talk about a problem without talking about a problem."[15]
Roger Ebert of theChicago Sun-Times gave the film 4 out of 4 stars and noted, "The entire film moves at a human pace, not prodded by impatience or a desire to rush through the story. To viewTerri after the manic thrashing ofTransformers: Dark of the Moon was soothing and healing. It demonstrates how films can engage us in human life, rather than mocking it."[16]
Peter Debruge ofVariety remarked, "Terri may not be as personal as Jacobs' earlier work, but it feels every bit as genuine. The helmer's style, which finds poetry in cluttered, overgrown environments and potentially embarrassing situations, is perfectly suited to the material. Indeed, the filmmaking gives far more reason to get excited than the script."[17]
David Rooney ofThe Hollywood Reporter commented, "It's not the most substantial movie and its delicate approach can seem rather studied, almost as if the director is trying on a style rather than adopting one that's an ideal fit. But there are many lovely, lingering moments."[18]
Eric Kohn ofIndieWire gave the film a grade of "A-" and wrote, "As withMomma's Man, Jacobs' rhythm in these scenes places emphasis on quiet reaction shots instead of extended conversation."[19]
Logan Hill ofVulture opined, "Terri stands out for reminding us of the clumsy everyday horrors of high school. Compared toTwilight, the stakes appear small. But it's a movie about survival nonetheless."[20]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 21st Gotham Independent Film Awards | Breakthrough Actor | Jacob Wysocki | Nominated | [21] |
| 2012 | 18thChlotrudis Awards | Best Supporting Actor | John C. Reilly | Nominated | [22] |
| 27th Independent Spirit Awards | Best First Screenplay | Patrick deWitt | Nominated | [23] |
