Monogamy (2010)

The strained relationship of an engaged Brooklyn couple, Theo (Chris Messina) and Nat (Rashida Jones). Theo is bored with his job as a wedding photographer-the generic backgrounds, the ... See full summary »

Director:

Dana Adam Shapiro

Writers:

Dana Adam Shapiro, Evan M. Wiener

Stars:

Chris Messina, Rashida Jones, Meital Dohan

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Messina	...	Theo
Rashida Jones	...	Nat
Meital Dohan	...	Subgirl
Zak Orth	...	Quinny
Ivan Martin	...	Will
Madison Arnold	...	Mr. Margolin
Sarah Burns	...	Ella
Paul Diomede	...	Man
Hannah Gilli	...	Hannah
Neal Huff	...	Dr. Gleeman
Adam Pally	...	Allen
Mason Pettit	...	Groom
Samantha Sherman	...	Bride
Gil Rogers	...	Mr. Lasky
Emily Tremaine	...	Redhead

Storyline

The strained relationship of an engaged Brooklyn couple, Theo (Chris Messina) and Nat (Rashida Jones). Theo is bored with his job as a wedding photographer-the generic backgrounds, the artificial posing, the stilted newlyweds-so he develops an unconventional side business, called "Gumshoot," a service where clients hire him to stalk them with his camera. Becoming infatuated with one of his clients, a mystery woman who goes by the name Subgirl (Meital Dohan), Theo develops a voyeuristic obsession that forces him to confront uncomfortable truths about himself and his impending marriage.

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Plot Keywords:

obsession | strained relationship | singer songwriter | old photograph | hospital | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 2010 (USA)

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,476 (USA) (11 March 2011)

Gross:

$20,202 (USA) (1 April 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TBD, Renart Films, Human Loves Human Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Won Best New York Narrative at the Tribeca Film Festival 2010.

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Soundtracks

"Follow Me Home"
Performed by Chessie

User Reviews

It's like a dull 'Blue Valentine'...

This movie kind of reminded me of Blue Valentine a little. Strained relationship, woman not as interested in the guy that much anymore. It surprises me sometimes on how certain films with such little story can come to fruition. At least, Blue Valentine had a little more plot to it than this one.

This is the director's first feature, so it's easy to see why he picked something that's slow and more character-driven. Now all he has to do next time is get us interested in his characters. Theo (Messina) and Nat (Jones) are probably the most bland, boring, down-to-Earth couple you have ever met. They're engaged to be married in about 3 months and it would appear that their parents are more excited about the big day more than they are, they pick the color of the wedding invitation by picking a jellybean out of a jar, that's how much they care.

So Theo is a wedding photographer and he's clearly bored with it, but it pays the bills. He's more interested in his side-job. People hire him to "photo stalk" them. That is, they pay him to take pictures of them as they go about their daily routine. Well, Theo gets more than he bargains for when he is hired by "Subgirl" (Dohan). After the shoot, he gets more than a little obsessed and begins to question his relationship with Nat.

I wish there were more to talk about...but there's not. Well, sure, there are the obvious questions: Who is Subgirl? Will Theo cheat on Nat? Will Theo & Nat get married? I could answer all of those, but then what would be the point of watching the movie? If you like Chris Messina and Rashida Jones (TV's Parks & Recreation), then you may want to give it a whirl, but that's about the only reason you should see it -- for me, it was Rashida Jones, but unfortunately it was a pretty subdued role for her. More reviews at www.soveryterry.com Final Grade: C