I Am Michael
| I Am Michael | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Justin Kelly |
| Produced by |
|
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on |
"My Ex-Gay Friend" by Benoit Denizet-Lewis |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | |
| Cinematography | Christopher Blauvelt |
| Edited by | Aaron I. Butler |
Production company |
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| Distributed by | Brainstorm Media |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million[1] |
I Am Michael is a 2015 American film written and directed by Justin Kelly. Based on Benoit Denizet-Lewis' New York Times Magazine article "My Ex-Gay Friend",[2] the film stars James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, and Charlie Carver. Franco plays Michael Glatze, a gay activist who denounces homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor.[1] Filming ran in New York City from August 11 to August 30, 2014.
The film is scheduled to be released in a limited release and through video on demand on January 27, 2017, by Brainstorm Media.
Plot
The controversial true story depicts a gay activist Michael Glatze who rejects his homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor.
Cast
- James Franco as Michael Glatze,[1] a gay activist who renounces homosexuality.
- Zachary Quinto as Bennett,[3] an architect and former boyfriend of Michael.
- Emma Roberts[3] as Rebekah Fuller, a young Christian woman who Michael falls in love with after his "conversion".
- Avan Jogia as Nico,[4] a gay Buddhist Michael meets and briefly falls for.
- Charlie Carver as Tyler,[5] a college student who gets involved in a relationship with Michael and Bennett.
- Daryl Hannah as Deborah,[6] who runs a Colorado Buddhist retreat where Michael goes to find solace.
- Devon Graye as Cory
- Leven Rambin as Catherine
- Jenna Leigh Green
- Lesley Ann Warren as Michael's mother in flashback scenes
Production
On April 1, 2014, James Franco was added to the film to play the gay activist Michael Glatze, who renounced his homosexuality.[1] Justin Kelly was set to direct the film Michael based on Benoit Denizet-Lewis' New York Times Magazine article "My Ex-Gay Friend", while Gus Van Sant would executive produce the film.[7] On July 14, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts, and Chris Zylka joined the cast of the film. Quinto would play Bennett, the former boyfriend of Franco's character, Roberts would play his girlfriend, and Zylka would play another past love interest.[3]
Director Justin Kelly said that "this isn't just a story about an 'ex-gay', it's actually a very relatable story about the power of belief and the desire to belong".[3] On August 14, Charlie Carver joined the film to play Tyler, who gets involved in a relationship with Michael and Bennett and is heartbroken when Michael rejects his homosexuality.[5] On August 15, Avan Jogia joined the film as Nico, a young man whom Michael meets and falls for along his journey.[4] On August 18, Lesley Ann Warren joined the film's cast to play Quinto's character's mother.[8] On August 25, Daryl Hannah joined the film to play Deborah, who runs a Colorado Buddhist retreat where Michael goes to find solace.[6]
Filming
Principal photography began on August 11, 2014, in New York City[9] as actor Franco shared images from the set.[10][11] On August 20, Franco was spotted during filming on Ocean Avenue in East Rockaway.[12] The production wrapped on August 31, 2014 in Baldwin, New York.
Release
The film was released at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, and also screened in the Panorama section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.[13] It received its California premiere during the 17th FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival.[14] The film was the opening night film of the Frameline Film Festival on June 18, 2015 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco.[15] Brainstorm Media acquired distribution rights to the film, and set the film for a limited release and through video on demand on January 27, 2017.[16]
Reception
The film drew mostly mixed to mildly positive reviews. Writing for Variety, Peter Debruge wrote, "An unusually nuanced James Franco carries this complex portrait of a man who came out and fought to encourage other LGBT youth before converting to conservative Christianity," but said that the film was too dry and kept the title character too distant and veiled in its attempt to be impartial.[17]
Boyd van Hoeij wrote in The Hollywood Reporter, "Thankfully, the screenplay doesn’t portray the story in simple terms of good or evil, but that doesn’t mean that there’s quite enough nuance or insight to constantly elevate the material above the level of a well-made-but-TV-ready biopic."[18] Indiewire's Eric Kohn gave the film a B+ grade.[19]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Siegler, Mara (April 1, 2014). "James Franco to play gay activist in Gus Van Sant movie". pagesix.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ↑ Denizet-Lewis, Benoit (June 19, 2011). "My Ex-Gay Friend". New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
- 1 2 3 4 Setoodeh, Ramin (July 14, 2014). "Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts Join James Franco's 'Michael'". variety.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- 1 2 Yamato, Jen (August 15, 2014). "Avan Jogia Joins James Franco In 'Michael'". deadline.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- 1 2 "Charlie Carver Joins 'Michael'". deadline.com. August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- 1 2 Sneider, Jeff (August 25, 2014). "Daryl Hannah Joins James Franco in Gay-Themed Drama 'Michael'". thewrap.com. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 11, 2014). "Justin Kelly Teams With James Franco & Gus Van Sant For 'Michael'". deadline.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ↑ Sneider, Jeff (August 18, 2014). "Lesley Ann Warren Joins James Franco, Zachary Quinto in Gay Drama 'Michael'". thewrap.com. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ↑ Anderton, Ethan (August 11, 2014). "First Look: James Franco Goes Christian in Gus Van Sant's 'Michael'". firstshowing.net. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Marie, Brownie (August 15, 2014). "James Franco shares new pic of blonde hairdo for gay man-turned-pastor film, 'Michael'". christiantoday.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ MARTINEZ, JESSICA (August 11, 2014). "James Franco Reveals Look as Gay Man Turned Christian Pastor During Filming of New 'Michael' Movie". christianpost.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Christine (August 20, 2014). "James Franco begins filming 'Michael' in New York". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Panorama 2015: Probing the Past to Shape the Future". Berlinale. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ↑ "2015 LGBT Film Festival". FilmOut San Diego. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Frameline website entry (April 3, 2015)
- ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (November 29, 2016). "Brainstorm Media Acquires Sundance Pic 'I Am Michael', Sets January Theatrical Release Date". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ↑ Peter Debruge (2015-01-24). "'I Am Michael' Review: James Franco Stars as Ex-Gay Pastor Michael Glatze". Variety. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "'I Am Michael': Sundance Review". Hollywood Reporter. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Kohn, Eric. "Sundance Review: James Franco Excels in 'I Am Michael,' a Provocative Look at 'Ex-Gay' Activist Michael Glatze". Indiewire.com. Retrieved 29 January 2015.