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IMDbPro

Serena

  • 20142014
  • RR
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
29K
YOUR RATING
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Serena (2014)
North Carolina mountains at the end of the 1920s – George and Serena Pemberton, love-struck newly-weds, begin to build a timber empire. Serena soon proves herself to be equal to any man: overseeing loggers, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving a man’s life in the wilderness. With power and influence now in their hands, the Pembertons refuse to let anyone stand in the way of their inflated love and ambitions. However, once Serena discovers George’s hidden past and faces an unchangeable fate of her own, the Pemberton’s passionate marriage begins to unravel leading toward a dramatic reckoning.
Play trailer1:56
4 Videos
55 Photos
DramaHistoryRomance
In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena.In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena.In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena.
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
29K
YOUR RATING
    • Susanne Bier
    • Christopher Kyle(screenplay)
    • Ron Rash(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Bradley Cooper
    • Jennifer Lawrence
    • Rhys Ifans
    • Susanne Bier
    • Christopher Kyle(screenplay)
    • Ron Rash(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Bradley Cooper
    • Jennifer Lawrence
    • Rhys Ifans
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 121User reviews
    • 141Critic reviews
    • 36Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Watch Official Trailer
    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Watch International Trailer
    U.S. Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Watch U.S. Theatrical Trailer
    "On-Set Chemistry"
    Featurette 1:38
    Watch "On-Set Chemistry"

    Photos55

    Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Serena (2014)
    Jennifer Lawrence in Serena (2014)
    Bradley Cooper in Serena (2014)
    Bradley Cooper in Serena (2014)
    Susanne Bier in Serena (2014)
    Jennifer Lawrence in Serena (2014)
    Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Serena (2014)
    Billy Connolly at an event for Serena (2014)
    Nolan Gerard Funk at an event for Serena (2014)
    Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence at an event for Serena (2014)
    Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence at an event for Serena (2014)
    Victor Garber at an event for Serena (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bradley Cooper
    Bradley Cooper
    • George Pemberton
    Jennifer Lawrence
    Jennifer Lawrence
    • Serena Pemberton
    Rhys Ifans
    Rhys Ifans
    • Galloway
    Toby Jones
    Toby Jones
    • Sheriff McDowell
    David Dencik
    David Dencik
    • Buchanan
    Sean Harris
    Sean Harris
    • Campbell
    Ana Ularu
    Ana Ularu
    • Rachel Hermann
    Sam Reid
    Sam Reid
    • Vaughn
    Conleth Hill
    Conleth Hill
    • Doctor Chaney
    Charity Wakefield
    Charity Wakefield
    • Agatha
    Douglas Hodge
    Douglas Hodge
    • Horace Kephart
    Kim Bodnia
    Kim Bodnia
    • Abe Hermann
    Christian McKay
    Christian McKay
    • Boston bank manager
    • (as Christian Mckay)
    Philip Zandén
    Philip Zandén
    • Calhoun
    • (as Philip Zanden)
    Ned Dennehy
    Ned Dennehy
    • Ledbetter
    Kvido Najser
    • Baby Jacob
    Tereza Hroudova
    • Baby Jacob
    Amelie Vernerova
    • Baby Jacob
      • Susanne Bier
      • Christopher Kyle(screenplay)
      • Ron Rash(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Jennifer Lawrence Through the Years

    Jennifer Lawrence Through the Years

    Take a look back at Jennifer Lawrence's career on and off the screen.
    See more Jennifer
    View image
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jennifer Lawrence recommended Bradley Cooper for the project. They had worked together previously on Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and they got along so well that they often spoke about working together again in the future. When Lawrence read the script for this movie, she sent a copy to Cooper and asked if he would do it with her.
    • Goofs
      On two occasions there are "Zippo" lighters shown and used. The movie takes place in 1929. The "Zippo" company was not founded until 1932 (per their website).
    • Quotes

      Sheriff McDowell: The logging barons always cry "jobs" and "free enterprise," but the truth is, you barely pay enough to put food on the table!

      Pemberton: Oh, we pay more than any job these men can get, and that's why there's a line fifty-deep every time there's an opening.

      Sheriff McDowell: Openings? Yes, you always have openings, don't you, Mr. Pemberton? Because your camps have killed more men than the war between the States.

    • Connections
      Featured in Projector: Serena/Love, Rosie (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Beignet Cakewalk
      Written by Jeff Ford and Michael Esneault (as Mike Esneault)

      Courtesy of FirstCom Music

    User reviews121

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    3/10
    You took 18 months to do about 2 months work producers!
    "I've think you've taken nine months to do about six months work."

    It's funny that Jennifer Lawrence was given this line in a film that took over 18 months to make during post-production because for what it is, this could have been edited much better in two or three months. The narrative feels choppy and instead of focusing on the characters in this period piece they move the narrative from one act to the next without ever giving the audience anything to chew on. This is simply a flat period romance with very little chemistry that misfires on all cylinders (editing, casting, and screenplay). You can't help but feel that there is another film in here somewhere that got lost in the editing room. Serena seemed to be a film aiming for Oscar gold because it had everything going for beginning from the romantic pairing of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper after their incredible success in Silver Linings Playbook. Add the solid Danish director, Susanne Bier (In a Better World), and a script based on Ron Rash's 2008 novel to the mix and Serena seemed to be a sure bet. I had high expectations for it and many were already including it as a contender for next year's Academy Award even before it finished being produced. How could a film like this end up being so forgettable and predictable at the same time? I'd guess the blame relies on the producers who tried to cash in on Lawrence and Cooper's success by centering the film on the romance instead of focusing on the other interesting cast members. The romance never works here because the characters are never fully developed so there is no way we can invest in their relationship. The amazing chemistry these two actors had in their previous film is completely wasted here. Everything about this film seemed disconnected and I am sure it won't live up to the aspirations the producers and critics had for Serena.

    I have genuinely enjoyed all of Jennifer Lawrence's performances up to this film. The setting in the woods reminded me of the first time I saw J-Law in Winter's Bone, a film so richly invested in character development that I was expecting her to deliver another outstanding performance. That comparison to Winter's Bone only ended up disappointing me. She is extremely over the top in this film and the emotional scenes she gets are never believable. The scenes where she breaks down and cries were painful to watch. Bradley Cooper loses his charm as well, but I guess the blame relies on the script. If you are trying to deliver a strong romantic period piece you have the right actors to do so, but the script doesn't help build the romance. Bradley Cooper's character catches up to J-Law on a horse and asks her to marry him and then they are married. The entire film felt sort of chopped up and fast forwarded to the key parts of the story without taking time to give the characters any depth. About 15 minutes into the movie I knew where everything was heading and it was a huge disappointment for me because I expected a lot more from this film. The secondary cast is interesting, but unfortunately very little time is given to these characters. Rhys Ifans, Toby Jones, and David Dencik are extremely talented actors and I wish the script would've given them more time. Unfortunately Christopher Kyle's script misses the mark at every turn. The only positive thing about Serena was Morten Søborg's beautiful cinematography.
    helpful•70
    22
    • estebangonzalez10
    • Dec 3, 2014

    FAQ1

    • Why is the titular character in Serena regularly compared to Lady Macbeth?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 2015 (United States)
      • France
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Prague, Czech Republic
    • Production companies
      • 2929 Productions
      • Chockstone Pictures
      • Nick Wechsler Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 49 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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