The Hollars (2016)

I loved and Jack liked this dramedy of a man's return to his dysfunctional family when his mother falls ill. We laughed a lot at the befuddled men (except one) and the competent women (except one). John Krasinski stars and directs (he was last blogged for a voice in The Wind Rises, and, before this, directed three episodes of The Office and one other feature which we didn't see). As John Hollar, he proves his acting chops honed from 188 episodes of The Office and dozens of other roles, and, as a director, he keeps things moving at a nice pace, working from a script by Jim Strouse (the latter's sixth screenplay after four I haven't seen and a segment of New York, I Love You (2008)).

Richard Jenkins (most recently in these pages for an off-screen voice in Spotlight) apparently agreed to play the father if Margo Martindale (last blogged for August: Osage County) would play the mother, and their chemistry is adorable. Able supporting strength is provided by, among others, Anna Kendrick (most recently in Cake) as John's girlfriend, Charlie Day (from Horrible Bosses 2) as the mom's nurse, and Sharlto Copley (last heard as the voice and body movements of Chappie, he's South African and his native accent betrays him rarely) as John's brother.

Set in Ohio (there's a reference to an eight hour drive from New York, plus there are generic road signs for Cincinnati), it was shot in Mississippi.

The pretty folk music is credited to Josh Ritter, his first as composer, after having songs played on many TV shows and a few movies. Here are a soundtrack preview and a song list.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics haven't been kind, averaging 44%, while its audiences are warmer at 72. Whatever. See it this week, as it will be leaving these parts Thursday night.