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The Death & Life of John F. Donovan

  • 2018
  • R
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
Kit Harington in The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he once shared with the former, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.
Play trailer2:51
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama

A decade after the death of an American television star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he shared with him, as well as the impact those letters had on both their l... Read allA decade after the death of an American television star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he shared with him, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.A decade after the death of an American television star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he shared with him, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.

  • Director
    • Xavier Dolan
  • Writers
    • Xavier Dolan
    • Jacob Tierney
  • Stars
    • Kit Harington
    • Natalie Portman
    • Jacob Tremblay
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    7.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Xavier Dolan
    • Writers
      • Xavier Dolan
      • Jacob Tierney
    • Stars
      • Kit Harington
      • Natalie Portman
      • Jacob Tremblay
    • 62User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
    • 28Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:51
    Watch Official Trailer
    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:47
    Watch International Trailer
    Thandie Newton, 'John F. Donovan' Stars Sound Off on Perils of Social Media
    Interview 3:25
    Watch Thandie Newton, 'John F. Donovan' Stars Sound Off on Perils of Social Media
    Kit Harington's "Game of Thrones" Costume Secrets
    Video 1:08
    Watch Kit Harington's "Game of Thrones" Costume Secrets

    Photos157

    Emily Hampshire at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, and Thandiwe Newton at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Thandiwe Newton and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, Thandiwe Newton, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, Thandiwe Newton, Dave Karger, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, and Thandiwe Newton at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, Thandiwe Newton, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Emily Hampshire, Thandiwe Newton, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Thandiwe Newton at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Thandiwe Newton, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan, Thandiwe Newton, and Kit Harington at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
    Xavier Dolan at an event for The Death & Life of John F. Donovan (2018)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kit Harington
    Kit Harington
    • John F. Donovan
    Natalie Portman
    Natalie Portman
    • Sam Turner
    Jacob Tremblay
    Jacob Tremblay
    • Rupert Turner
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Grace Donovan
    Kathy Bates
    Kathy Bates
    • Barbara Haggermaker
    Ben Schnetzer
    Ben Schnetzer
    • Rupert Turner (21 Y.O.)
    Thandiwe Newton
    Thandiwe Newton
    • Journalist
    • (as Thandie Newton)
    Jared Keeso
    Jared Keeso
    • James Donovan
    Chris Zylka
    Chris Zylka
    • Will Jefford Jr.
    Amara Karan
    Amara Karan
    • Miss Kureshi
    Emily Hampshire
    Emily Hampshire
    • Amy Bosworth
    Michael Gambon
    Michael Gambon
    • Man in Diner
    Sarah Gadon
    Sarah Gadon
    • Liz Jones
    Susan Almgren
    • Aunt Faith
    Jane Wheeler
    Jane Wheeler
    • Aunt Anne
    Craig Eldridge
    Craig Eldridge
    • Uncle Patrick
    Lukas Rolfe
    • Cedric
    Ari Millen
    Ari Millen
    • Big Billy
    • Director
      • Xavier Dolan
    • Writers
      • Xavier Dolan
      • Jacob Tierney
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Kit Harington's "Game of Thrones" Costume Secrets

    Kit Harington's "Game of Thrones" Costume Secrets

    The Death and Life of John F. Donovan star Kit Harington reveals crucial details about his "Game of Thrones" costume. Plus, Thandie Newton sounds off on the perils of social media.
    Editorial Image
    Editorial Image

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jessica Chastain filmed scenes as an antagonistic journalist obsessed with news about John F. Donovan, which were cut from the completed movie due to timing and pacing. One of her scenes appears as a bonus feature on the DVD.
    • Quotes

      Man in Diner: That isn't... Hellsome High? It is you, isn't it? Ha! I'm sorry. I know that's not your name.

      John F. Donovan: No, that's, uh... That's a high school. Um, my name is...

      Man in Diner: John F. Donovan! I'm not that old! I'm sure you hate this, but my grandson is a huge fan of yours. I was walking with him down Canal Street just the other day and passed a poster for your show, and he just got so excited. He stood in front of that poster around 5 minutes. He wants to be just like you when he grows up. Magic powers included, of course.

      John F. Donovan: Does he?

      Man in Diner: He sure does, yeah. Well, I don't mean to bother you, you know.

      John F. Donovan: No, you're not. Please.

      Man in Diner: Oh, aren't you a kind man, sitting here trying to get some peace and quiet, and an old fool like me comes squawking in.

      John F. Donovan: No. No, really, it's...

      Man in Diner: Well, we'll be waiting for the next great adventure then, will we? Ok.

      John F. Donovan: I don't know sir.

      Man in Diner: What?

      John F. Donovan: I don't know anymore. I, uh... I feel... Sorry, I... I feel like

      Man in Diner: Talk to me.

      John F. Donovan: I, I feel... I've done everything wrong. You know? I've been thinking... What if I... What if I don't belong here? What if I've stolen someone else's place? Ah, Jesus, say something. Laugh at me or...

      Man in Diner: Oh, dear! I mean, who am I to contemplate these confessions, really? Hmm?

      John F. Donovan: I know, I know. I'm s... I'm sorry. Please go. I should have never bothered you with any of this.

      Man in Diner: In my opinion... things are simple. People on the other hand, have an inexplicable proclivity to make them complicated. It seems to me you already know you erred, which is, to say at least, atypical of most people. But, personally, I look at you, and all I see is a young man whose work matters to my grandson. I mean, how you chose to remedy your wrongs is yours and God's good businesses. But the question is... how could you have stolen a place... that was made just for you?

      John F. Donovan: Um, I'm sorry, I've never seen you here before.

      Man in Diner: Well, you see me now. Blimey! You know, I'd better get going. Go home. You're too young for lonely meals in dingy kitchens.

    • Crazy credits
      Even though the Thwandie Newton's character has a name (Audrey Newhouse), she is credited as Journalist.
    • Connections
      Featured in CTV News at Six Toronto: Episode dated 10 September 2018 (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Rolling In the Deep
      Written by Adele and Paul Epworth

      Performed by Adele

    User reviews62

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    It's ok
    This film tells quite a complex story about a man who recalls his correspondence with an actor when he was a child. The story is mostly about the actor, and it's quite sad. The number of famous faces is pretty amazing as well. It can do with a quicker pace, but overall it's ok to watch.
    helpful•14
    10
    • Gordon-11
    • Sep 14, 2019

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 13, 2019 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Czech
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Life and Death of John F. Donovan
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Film United
      • Lyla Films
      • Sons of Manual
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $152,713
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $33,340
      • Aug 25, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,326,364
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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