I Am Michael
I Am Michael | |
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Directed by | Justin Kelly |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | "My Ex-Gay Friend" by Benoit Denizet-Lewis |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Christopher Blauvelt |
Edited by | Aaron I. Butler |
Music by | |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Brainstorm Media |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
I Am Michael is a 2015 American
The film was released in a
Premise
Based on a true story, the film depicts gay activist Michael Glatze, who rejects homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor.
Cast
- James Franco as Michael Glatze
- Zachary Quinto as Bennett
- Emma Roberts as Rebekah
- Charlie Carver as Tyler
- Avan Jogia as Nico Gladstone
- Devon Graye as Cory
- Leven Rambin as Catherine
- Daryl Hannah as Deborah
- Lesley Ann Warren as Susan
- Blake Lee as Benoit
- Kevin Cahoon as Peter
Production
On April 1, 2014,
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 homosexuality.[4] On August 15, Avan Jogia joined the film as Nico, a young man whom Michael meets and falls for along his journey.[5] On August 18, Lesley Ann Warren joined the film's cast to play Quinto's character's mother.[6] On August 25, Daryl Hannah joined the film to play Deborah, who runs a Colorado Buddhist retreat where Michael goes to find solace.[7]
Filming
Release
The film was released at the
Reception
The film drew mostly mixed reviews. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 63% based on 35 reviews, and an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "I Am Michael takes a determinedly balanced approach to its complex subject, and although the results don't always add up, they're anchored by strong work from James Franco."[16] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[17]
Peter Debruge of Variety 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 concluded that the film was too dry and kept the title character too distant and veiled in its attempt to be impartial.[18]
Boyd van Hoeij wrote in
See also
- List of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films of 2015
References
- New York Times Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 11, 2014). "Justin Kelly Teams With James Franco & Gus Van Sant For 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ a b Setoodeh, Ramin (July 14, 2014). "Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts Join James Franco's 'Michael'". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ "Charlie Carver Joins 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood. August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ Yamato, Jen (August 15, 2014). "Avan Jogia Joins James Franco In 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood. 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.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (August 25, 2014). "Daryl Hannah Joins James Franco in Gay-Themed Drama 'Michael'". thewrap.com. Retrieved August 26, 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. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ "Panorama 2015: Probing the Past to Shape the Future". Berlinale. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ^ "2015 LGBT Film Festival". FilmOut San Diego. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ^ "Frameline website entry (April 3, 2015)". Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 29, 2016). "Brainstorm Media Acquires Sundance Pic 'I Am Michael', Sets January Theatrical Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "I Am Michael on Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "I Am Michael". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ Peter Debruge (2015-01-24). "'I Am Michael' Review: James Franco Stars as Ex-Gay Pastor Michael Glatze". Variety. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ^ van Hoeij, Boyd (January 24, 2015). "'I Am Michael': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- Indiewire. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
External links
- I Am Michael at IMDb
- I Am Michael at Rotten Tomatoes