Resistance (2020 film)

Resistance is a 2020 biographical drama film written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, inspired by the life of Marcel Marceau. It stars Jesse Eisenberg as Marceau, with Clémence Poésy, Matthias Schweighöfer, Alicia von Rittberg, Félix Moati, Géza Röhrig, Karl Markovics, Vica Kerekes, Bella Ramsey, Ed Harris and Édgar Ramírez.

Resistance
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJonathan Jakubowicz
Produced by
  • Claudine Jakubowicz
  • Dan Maag
  • Thorsten Schumacher
  • Carlos García de Paredes
  • Patrick Zorer
  • Jonathan Jakubowicz
Screenplay byJonathan Jakubowicz
Starring
Music byAngelo Milli
CinematographyM.I. Littin-Menz
Edited byAlexander Berner
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • March 8, 2020 (2020-03-08) (Miami Film Festival)
  • March 27, 2020 (2020-03-27) (United States)
Running time
120 minutes
Country
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
LanguageEnglish
Box office$7,464[1][2]

It was released in the United States on March 27, 2020, by IFC Films. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only a few independent and drive-in theaters remained open, Resistance topped the weekend box office in its opening weekend by earning $2,490 on one screen.

Plot

An aspiring mime artist joins the French Resistance to save the lives of thousands of children orphaned at the hands of the Nazis.

Cast

Production

In May 2017, it was announced Jesse Eisenberg had joined the cast of the film, portraying the role of Marcel Marceau, during his days as a member of the French Resistance, with Jonathan Jakubowicz directing from a screenplay he wrote.[3] In February 2018, it was announced Haley Bennett and Matthias Schweighöfer had joined the cast of the film, with Warner Bros. Pictures distributing in Germany.[4] In November 2018, Ed Harris, Edgar Ramirez, Clémence Poésy, Bella Ramsey, Géza Röhrig, Karl Markovics and Félix Moati joined the cast of the film, with Poésy replacing Bennett.[5]

Release

In November 2019, IFC Films acquired distribution rights to the film.[6] It was released on March 27, 2020.[7] The film was set to have a theatrical release, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic IFC released the film on video on demand instead.[8] It was tied for the highest-grossing film in America when it debuted in the week of April 17, 2020, grossing $2,490.[9]

Critical reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 56% based on 62 reviews, with a weighted average of 5.76/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Flawed yet honorable, Resistance pushes past uneven performances and execution to pay sincere tribute to its real-life protagonist."[10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[11]

John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review, calling it an "involving if imperfect look at humanism amidst atrocity."[12] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone also gave the film a positive review, writing: "Playing the iconic mime Marcel Marceau in his early days as a French Resistance fighter for Jewish children, Eisenberg acts with physical finesse and deep feeling, proving that the power of art can literally be a saving grace."[13] Michael Nordine of TheWrap praised Eisenberg's performance writing: "His best work comes at the mime's first real public performance, where he dons the white makeup and silently mimes his way through the war itself: Without a single word, he articulates the film's point more movingly than any monologue ever could."[14]

David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a negative review writing: "Resistance can't stop finding new reasons to ignore its protagonist, or flatten him into anonymity, Eisenberg's performance is the giddy standout of a bizarre and half-baked Holocaust thriller that's otherwise absent any sense of self".[15] Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times also gave the film a negative review, saying that "Resistance feels disjointed and dated."[16]

References
  1. "Resistance (2020)". The Numbers. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  2. "Resistance (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  3. Lodderhose, Diana (May 19, 2017). "Jesse Eisenberg To Play Marcel Marceau In 'Resistance' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  4. Ritman, Alex (February 16, 2018). "Berlin: Haley Bennett and Matthias Schweighofer Eye Marcel Marceau Biopic 'Resistance'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  5. Ed Harris, Edgar Ramirez, Cléménce Poesy, More Join Jesse Eisenberg In Marcel Marceau WWII Story ‘Resistance’ — AFM
  6. Jesse Eisenberg WW2 Pic ‘Resistance’ Lands At IFC – AFM
  7. "Resistance". IFC Films. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  8. Day-Ramos, Dino (March 27, 2020). "'Resistance' Pivots To Digital Release, 'Tape' Sets Virtual Premiere, Kino Lorber And Music Box Films Launch Online Exhibitions – Specialty Streaming Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  9. "Weekend Domestic Chart for April 17, 2020". The Numbers. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  10. "Resistance (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  11. "Resistance Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  12. DeFore, John (March 26, 2020). "'Resistance': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  13. Travers, Peter (March 26, 2020). "'Resistance' Review: Jesse Eisenberg Has the Mime of His Life". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  14. Nordine, Michael (March 25, 2020). "'Resistance' Film Review: Jesse Eisenberg Stretches Himself as Marcel Marceau, Nazi Fighter". TheWrap. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  15. Ehrlich, David (March 23, 2020). "'Resistance' Review: Jesse Eisenberg Is Marcel Marceau in Holocaust Thriller That Goes Through Motions". IndieWire. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  16. "'Resistance' Review: Save The Children". The New York Times. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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