Room for Rent (2017 film)
| Room for Rent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Matt Atkinson |
| Written by | Matt Atkinson |
| Produced by | Justin Rebelo, Kyle Bornais |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Robert Scarborough |
| Edited by | Michael Pierro |
| Music by | Richard Pell, Ian LeFeuvre |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Gunpowder & Sky |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Room for Rent is a Canadian comedy/mystery film written and directed by Matt Atkinson. It stars Brett Gelman, Mark Little, Carla Gallo, Stephnie Weir, Patrick J. Adams, and Mark McKinney.
It had its world premiere at the Atlantic Film Festival on September 16, 2017, won awards for its 2017 showings at the LA Comedy Festival and Chicago Comedy Festival and its 2018 showing at the Canadian Film Festival, and won three Canadian Comedy Awards when it opened theatrically in Canada on October 26, 2018. It was released to video on demand on November 2, 2018.
Plot
[edit]In high school, Mitch Baldwin won the lottery and blew all the cash. Twelve years later, he's holed up living with his parents when his dad says they have to downsize their house so he can retire. Mitch insists they rent a room to save from selling their home. Enter Carl Lemay. Carl at first seems like the perfect renter but when he begins upsetting Mitch's routine way of life, a battle of wits turns into all out war.
Cast
[edit]- Brett Gelman as Carl Lemay
- Mark Little as Mitch Baldwin
- Carla Gallo as Lindsay Ross
- Stephnie Weir as Betty Baldwin
- Patrick J. Adams as Huey Dorsey
- Mark McKinney as Warren Baldwin
Production
[edit]Principal photography took place in Winnipeg, Canada in June 2016.[1]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the Atlantic Film Festival on September 16, 2017.[2] This was followed by its US Premiere at the San Diego International Film Festival on October 16, 2017,[3] and its Asian premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19, 2018.[4]
The film opened theatrically in Canada on October 26, 2018.[5]
Gunpowder & Sky released the film in the US to video on demand platforms on November 2, 2018.[6]
Reception
[edit]The film has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[7] Alan Ng of Film Threat awarded the film three and a half stars out of five.[8] Norm Wilner of NOW Toronto awarded the film three stars out of five.[9]
Awards and recognition
[edit]| Year | Awards | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | LA Comedy Festival | Best Film | Won | [10] | |
| Best Screenplay | Matthew Atkinson | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Brett Gelman | Won | |||
| Chicago Comedy Festival | Best Feature | Won | [11] | ||
| Best Actress | Stephnie Weir | Won | |||
| 2018 | Canadian Film Festival | Best Feature | Won | [12] | |
| Best Set Design | Gord Wilding | Won | |||
| Canadian Comedy Awards | Best Direction | Matthew Atkinson | Won | [13] | |
| Best Writing | Matthew Atkinson | Won | |||
| Best Performance | Mark Little | Won | |||
References
[edit]- ^ Reid, Regan (June 16, 2016). "How Justin Rebelo helped build Room for Rent". Playback. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ Reid, Regan (August 17, 2017). "Atlantic International Film Fest announces full lineup". Playback. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- ^ filmfest, sdi (August 29, 2017). "2017 SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL FESTIVAL LINE UP". San Diego International Film Festival. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
- ^ filmfest, Shanghai International (June 19, 2018). "Room for Rent Schedule". Shanghai International Film Festival. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ Wilner, Norm (October 24, 2018). "Review: Room For Rent showcases two brilliant comic actors". Now. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Award-Winning Comedy ROOM FOR RENT Drops Official Trailer + Sets Release Date". Vimooz.com. October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "Room For Rent". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ Ng, Alan (November 1, 2018). "Room for Rent". Film Threat. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ Wilner, Norm (October 24, 2018). "Review: Room For Rent showcases two brilliant comic actors". nowtoronto.com. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "22ND LA Comedy Festival Award Winners". LA Comedy Festival. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ Film Festival, Chicago Comedy (November 11, 2017). "2017 AWARDS". Chicago Comedy Film Festival. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
- ^ Malyk, Lauren (March 26, 2018). "CFF '18: The Drawer Boy, Luba score top prizes". Playback. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ Comedy Awards, Canadian (June 6, 2019). "2018 Nominations and Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
