The Leisure Class
The Leisure Class is a 2015 comedy film by HBO Films about a man who is trying to marry into a wealthy family and his unpredictable brother. The film was directed by Project Greenlight season 4 contest winner, Jason Mann. It is based on a 2012 short film written by Mann that premiered at the 2013 Raindance Film Festival. Season 4 of Project Greenlight aired on HBO as a documentary series chronicling the selection of Mann and the production of the film.[1][2] The film premiered in Los Angeles in August 2015 and aired on HBO on November 2, 2015.[3]
The Leisure Class | |
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Directed by | Jason Mann |
Produced by |
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Written by |
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Starring | Ed Weeks Tom Bell Bruce Davison Brenda Strong Bridget Regan |
Music by | Brian Byrne |
Cinematography | Trevor Forrest |
Edited by | Craig Hayes |
Production company | |
Distributed by | HBO Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $3 million |
Production
In November 2014, it was announced that Mann had won Project Greenlight's season 4 contest to direct a film for HBO.[1][2] Originally the contest winner was going to direct Not Another Pretty Woman, a broad comedy screenplay.[4] However, after Mann shared the script for a full-length version of a short film he had written, The Leisure Class, it was decided he would instead direct that script.[3][5] HBO set the film's budget at $3 million.[4][5]
Casting
The main character is played by Ed Weeks,[3][6] and his brother, Leonard, is played by Tom Bell.[2] The matriarch of the wealthy family is played by Brenda Strong. The film's cast also includes Bruce Davison, Rory Knox Johnston, Christine Lakin, Bridget Regan, Scottie Thompson, and Melanie Zanetti.[3][6]
Reception
The Leisure Class received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 0%, based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10.[7] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 25 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[8]
References
- Weinstein, Shelli (November 8, 2014). "Ben Affleck on 'Project Greenlight' Revival: We Have Enthusiasm and Commitment". Variety. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- Ricahrdson, Jay (March 2, 2015). "Tom Bell shoots HBO comedy". chortle.co.uk. Chortle. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- Phelan, Paige (August 11, 2015). "Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Tout 'Project Greenlight' at L.A. Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- Berman, Judy (14 September 2015). "'Project Greenlight' Season 4 Premiere Recap". Flavorwire. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- Berman, Judy (21 September 2015). "'Project Greenlight' Season 4 Episode 2 Recap: "Does Jason Fart?"". Flavorwire. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- Linda Ge and Jethro Nededog (March 4, 2015). "'Mindy Project's' Ed Weeks, Newcomer Melanie Zanetti Join Project Greenlight Film 'Leisure Class' (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- "The Leisure Class (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- "The Leisure Class reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 9, 2015.