I Love My Dad is a 2022 American comedy film written and directed by James Morosini, inspired by actual events in his life.[3] It stars Patton Oswalt, Morosini, and Claudia Sulewski. The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022, and in theaters in the United States on August 5, 2022.

I Love My Dad
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Morosini
Written byJames Morosini
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySteven Capitano Calitri
Edited byJosh Crockett
Music byJeremy Bullock
Production
companies
  • Hantz Motion Pictures
  • Atlas Industries
  • Burn Later Productions
  • American High
Distributed byMagnolia Pictures
Release dates
  • March 12, 2022 (2022-03-12) (SXSW)
  • August 5, 2022 (2022-08-05) (United States)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$103,343[1][2]

Premise

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After Franklin blocks his father Chuck on social media, Chuck "catfishes" his son by impersonating a waitress named Becca online. Chuck then agrees to drive Franklin to Maine to meet Becca, knowing that it might be the last straw in their father-son relationship.

Cast

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Production

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Principal photography took place in Syracuse, New York. Filming wrapped in June 2021.[6][7]

Release

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The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022.[8][9][10] In April 2022, Magnolia Pictures acquired the film's distribution rights. It was released in theaters on August 5, 2022, and on demand on August 12, 2022.[11]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, 72% of 89 reviews are considered positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "I Love My Dad may take its cringe comedy too far for some viewers, but Patton Oswalt's fearless performance keeps the story anchored in honest emotion."[12] As per Metacritic, the film has received "mixed or average reviews", with a weighted average score of 58/100 based on 24 critics' ratings.[13]

Todd McCarthy at Deadline Hollywood praised Oswalt's performance, Morosini's screenplay, and the use of social media to refine the show, don't tell technique.[14] The Hollywood Reporter's John DeFore gave positive notes to Morosini's direction and called it "a surprisingly gentle take on a potentially explosive premise."[15] Nick Allen at RogerEbert.com gave it a 3.5/4 and praised Sulewski as the movie's "comic MVP", adding that she "plays into both 'Becca' exaggerations so thoughtfully, that by the third act her actual Becca has a special poignancy and agency."[16] David Ehrlich at IndieWire gave it a B−, praising Morosini for "keeping the perversity of it all intact" and Sulewski's performance to be "elastic", while adding that it would have "been a more satisfying experience had it swerved away from decency and good taste even harder than it already does[...]"[17]

Accolades

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At the South by Southwest film festival, the film won the Jury and Audience Awards in the Narrative Feature Competition.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ "I Love My Dad (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  2. ^ "I Love My Dad (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  3. ^ Scott, H. Allan (August 5, 2022). "James Morosini on the real life catfishing story that inspired "I Love My Dad"". Newsweek.
  4. ^ Simon, Rachel (November 2, 2021). "Claudia Sulewski's Journey From YouTube to the Big Screen is Just Beginning". W. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. ^ Yuma, Jennifer (September 15, 2021). "Claudia Sulewski on Making the Transition From YouTube to Film: 'It Won't Be This Immediate Switch'". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 18, 2021). "Patton Oswalt's I Love My Dad Wraps Just In Time For Fathers Day; BuzzFeed Pride Fest Set; Bad Detective And A Rising Tide Deals; AIF Dates; More – Film Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Herbert, Geoff (June 21, 2021). "Patton Oswalt wraps 'weird' movie in Syracuse: Title, cast and a Grammy-winning visitor revealed". The Post-Standard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  8. ^ Herbert, Geoff (February 7, 2022). "Patton Oswalt movie shot in Syracuse to compete at SXSW Film Festival". The Post-Standard. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  9. ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (February 2, 2022). "SXSW's Lineup For Return To In-Person Festival Includes Movies With Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Pete Davidson, Rose Byrne & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  10. ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 2, 2022). "SXSW: Atlanta Season Opener, Nicolas Cage Film Unbearable Weight Set for Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Lang, Brent (April 19, 2022). "Magnolia Pictures Buys Patton Oswalt Catfishing Comedy I Love My Dad (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "I Love My Dad". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "I Love My Dad". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  14. ^ McCarthy, Todd (March 12, 2022). "SXSW Review: Patton Oswalt In James Morosini's I Love My Dad". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. ^ DeFore, John (March 12, 2022). "Patton Oswalt in I Love My Dad: Film Review | SXSW 2022". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Allen, Nick (August 5, 2022). "I Love My Dad". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  17. ^ Ehrlich, David (March 12, 2022). "'I Love My Dad' Review: Patton Oswalt Catfishes His Own Son in Funny and Deeply Uncomfortable Dark Comedy". IndieWire. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  18. ^ Galuppo, Mia (March 15, 2022). "SXSW: I Love My Dad Takes Top Narrative Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  19. ^ Complex, Valerie; Grobar, Matt (March 23, 2022). "Patton Oswalt Pic I Love My Dad, FX's Atlanta, AMC's 61st Street Among SXSW Audience Award Winners — Complete List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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