The Hollars

The Office actor John Krasinski's debut directorial effort is a quirky but pallid ensemble piece, a dysfunctional-family dramedy offering an overly familiar blend of laughter and tears. Krasinski plays John Hollar, an aspiring graphic novelist who lives in New York with his pregnant girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick), but is reluctant to commit to marriage. When word arrives that his mother Sally (Margo Martindale), a typical “force of nature” figure, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, John returns home, where his father Don (Richard Jenkins), a plumber whose business is on its last legs, can't cope, and his excitable brother Ron (Sharlto Copley), now living with their parents after getting divorced, keeps trying to get back together with his ex-wife and kids. There are repeated heart-to-heart moments between members of the Hollar clan, archly cute sessions with Sally's doctor (Randall Park), and an inevitable scene in which John and Sally escape the hospital to enjoy one more visit to an ice-cream parlor. Worst of all, Rebecca shows up at the Hollars' house not long before she will require a frantic drive to the hospital. The Hollars is partially redeemed by Martindale and Jenkins, who could play these parts in their sleep but are always watchable; otherwise, this is forgettable fluff. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director and star John Krasinski and costar Margo Martindale, an L.A. Film Festival Q&A with Krasinski, Martindale, and costar Anna Kendrick (19 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “The Family Trust” (18 min.) and “Persistent Vision: Margo Martindale” (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing dramedy.] (F. Swietek)