The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed
| The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joanna Arnow |
| Written by | Joanna Arnow |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Barton Cortright |
| Edited by | Joanna Arnow |
| Music by | Robinson Senpauroca |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Magnolia Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $82,083[1][2] |
The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed is a 2023 American comedy film, written, directed, and starring Joanna Arnow. It also stars Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti, Arnow, Michael Cyril Creighton and Alysia Reiner. Sean Baker serves as an executive producer.
It had its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section on May 19, 2023. It was released in the United States on April 26, 2024.
Plot
[edit]The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed follows Ann, played by director Joanna Arnow, through a series of uncomfortable and often humiliating experiences in her personal and professional life. The film is structured around Ann's relationships with various men, with particular focus on her long-term casual BDSM relationship with Allen.
The story unfolds through a series of vignettes, beginning with an explicit sexual scene where Ann performs a nude, seemingly one-sided erotic act with a clothed partner. This sets the tone for the film's exploration of vulnerability and self-imposed humiliation. Ann's life is further complicated by workplace indignities, including a demotion, which are presented in parallel with her personal struggles.
Throughout the film, Ann interacts with her parents, who appear as themselves, adding another layer of intimacy and potential discomfort. Moments of raw vulnerability, such as Ann singing passages from Les Misérables, are juxtaposed with stylized, deadpan dialogue delivery, creating a contrast between emotional exposure and detachment.
The narrative is permeated by a sense of inertia and stagnation, with Ann seemingly stuck between life phases and unsure of her future. This feeling is reinforced by the film's pacing and visual style, which emphasize bland, neutral tones for much of the runtime.
However, as the story progresses, there's a subtle shift towards hope. This change is symbolized by a striking shot of blooming park greenery, which stands out against the previously muted visual palette. This moment suggests that positive change can come even to those who seem most adrift in life.
The film blends uncomfortable humor, explicit sexuality, and moments of genuine vulnerability to create a unique portrait of a woman grappling with her place in the world. It concludes on a note of cautious optimism, hinting that even for someone as passive and self-absorbed as Ann, good things can still drift into life, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.
Cast
[edit]- Scott Cohen as Allen
- Babak Tafti as Chris
- Joanna Arnow as Ann
- Michael Cyril Creighton as Karl
- Alysia Reiner as Sister
- Keith Poulson as Simon
- Peter Vack as Thomas
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section on May 19, 2023.[3][4] Shortly after, Magnolia Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[5] It also screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023,[6][7] 2023 New York Film Festival on October 5, 2023,[8][9] and AFI Fest on October 27, 2023.[10][11] It was released in the United States on April 26, 2024.[12]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 48 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "Joanna Arnow finds bleak humor in the struggle to connect with The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed, a deadpan comedy that discomfits as confidently as it amuses."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". The Numbers. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (April 18, 2023). "Cannes' Directors Fortnight Unveils 2023 Lineup, Including Films by Hong Sang-soo, Michel Gondr". Variety. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Directors' Fortnight. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent (June 20, 2023). "Magnolia Pictures Buys North American Rights for 'The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed' Following Cannes Debut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (August 10, 2023). "TIFF 2023 Centerpiece Program Showcases Aki Kaurismäki, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". New York Film Festival. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Guy, Zoe (August 23, 2023). "The New York Film Festival 2023 Lineup Trickles In". Vulture. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". AFI Fest. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (September 28, 2023). "AFI Fest's Full Lineup Includes World Premieres Of 'Freud's Last Session' And 'Albert Brooks: Defending My Life'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ "Magnolia Pictures - The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Magnolia Pictures. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ "The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
