Winter Passing (2005)

Actress Reese Holden has been offered a small fortune by a book editor if she can secure for publication the love letters that her father, a reclusive novelist, wrote to her mother, who has... See full summary »

Director:

Adam Rapp

Writer:

Adam Rapp

Stars:

Zooey Deschanel, Darrell Larson, Will Ferrell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zooey Deschanel	...	Reese Holden
Darrell Larson	...	Director
John Bedford Lloyd	...	Leontes
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Deirdre
Mandy Siegfried	...	Ruth
Amy Madigan	...	Lori Lansky
Dallas Roberts	...	Ray
Ivan Martin	...	Bartender
Robert Beitzel	...	Rob
Laurie Kennedy	...	Nun
Will Ferrell	...	Corbit
Ed Harris	...	Don Holden
Mary Jo Deschanel	...	Mary
Amelia Warner	...	Shelly
Sam Bottoms	...	Brian

Storyline

Actress Reese Holden has been offered a small fortune by a book editor if she can secure for publication the love letters that her father, a reclusive novelist, wrote to her mother, who has since passed away. Returning to Michigan, Reese finds that an ex-grad student and a would-be musician have moved in with her father, who cares more about his new friends than he does about his own health and well-being.

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Plot Keywords:

book editor | love | love letter | michigan | book | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes you go looking for something you want. . . and find what you need.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some drug use and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 2006 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Ein Winter in Michigan

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$35,813 (USA) (17 February 2006)

Gross:

$101,228 (USA) (7 April 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stratus Film Co., Mint Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The protagonist in J.D. Salinger's seminal work 'The Catcher in the Rye' was named Holden Caufield. Like Don Holden, the character played by Ed Harris, Salinger lived as a recluse in his later years.

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Goofs

In the scene in which Zooey is having missionary sex, the gaffer tape over her nipples can be seen.

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Quotes

Corbit: Well, I gotta go rock. And if you see Holdin, tell him his balls are clean.

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Connections

Referenced in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Ed Harris (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Nude as the News"
(1996)
Written by Cat Power (as Chan Marshall)
Performed by Cat Power
Courtesy of Matador Records

User Reviews

A Concise Little Gem

Imperfect, yes, but Winter Passing managed to involve me and charm me without overstaying its welcome. A young woman barely in control of her life returns home to her estranged father only to find that he is in even less control of his. A redefined family searching for common ground, the daughter unsure of a relationship long-strained and left to wither. Some challenges and more than a little redemption.

Adam Rapp did not over reach on any of these subplots and the performances, particularly by Deschanel and Harris, are very substantial, although Will Farrell was an interesting choice for his character. Many will probably expect him to start doing something silly, as opposed to only mildly funny.

This is one of the best "films you've never seen" that I've come across lately.

Well worth a try.