Human Capital (2019 film)

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Human Capital
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMarc Meyers
Written byOren Moverman
Based onHuman Capital
by Stephen Amidon
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyKat Westergaard
Edited by
Music byMarcelo Zarvos[1]
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 10, 2019 (2019-09-10) (TIFF)
  • July 17, 2020 (2020-07-17) (United States)
Running time
95 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Italy
LanguageEnglish
Box office$6,597

Human Capital is a 2019 American-Italian drama film directed by Marc Meyers. The screenplay by Oren Moverman is based on the 2004 Stephen Amidon novel of the same name, which was also adapted into the 2013 Italian film by Paolo Virzì. The film stars Liev Schreiber, Marisa Tomei, Peter Sarsgaard, Maya Hawke, Alex Wolff, Betty Gabriel, Aasif Mandvi, Paul Sparks and Fred Hechinger.

The lives of two different families collide when their children begin a relationship that leads to a tragic accident.

The film premiered on September 10, 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released through DirecTV Cinema on February 20, 2020, before being theatrically released on July 17, 2020, by Vertical Entertainment.[3]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

A film adaptation of Human Capital was first developed in 2004. Film producer Lemore Syvan, of Elevation Filmworks, purchased the film rights to the book and hired Noam Murro to direct. The original author Stephen Amidon was picked to adapt the book.[4]

It was announced in October 2018 that Liev Schreiber and Alex Wolff were cast to star in the film, with Marc Meyers directing.[5] Filming began in New York City in November, with Marisa Tomei, Peter Sarsgaard, Maya Hawke and Betty Gabriel also joining.[6][7] Paul Sparks, Aasif Mandvi and Fred Hechinger were added in December.[8] The film was produced by Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Pictures and Bert Marcus of Bert Marcus Film.[9]

Release[edit]

Human Capital premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2019.[10] Shortly after, Vertical Entertainment and DirecTV Cinema acquired distribution rights to the film.[11] It was released through DirecTV Cinema on March 20, 2020, followed by a limited theatrical release on July 17, 2020.

Reception[edit]

As of October 2021, 67% of the 63 reviews compiled on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes are positive and the average is 6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Human Capital merely rumbles when it ought to roar to life, but it remains a solidly made opportunity for a strong cast to highlight its impressive talents."[12] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 51 out of 100 based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]

Writing in The Hollywood Reporter, John Defore said that it is "engrossing on a moment-to-moment scale" but "doesn't click together".[2] Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote that each storyline is "gripping until they peter out".[14] The New York Times' critic, Wesley Morris, called it "a character study that hasn’t done its homework".[15] Alan Ng of Film Threat wrote that the film is "a fantastic study of people being pushed to their limits" and has "a series of excellent performances".[16] Hannah Hoolihan of Screen Rant wrote, "Meyers' disjointed approach to Human Capital expertly weaves its story into a gripping mystery that's further elevated by exceptional performances."[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Marcelo Zarvos Scoring Marc Meyers' 'Human Capital' | Film Music Reporter".
  2. ^ a b c "'Human Capital': Film Review | TIFF 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. 6 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Human Capital - Box Office Mojo".
  4. ^ LaPorte, Nicole (December 14, 2004). "Murro banks on directing 'Capital'". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 18, 2018). "Liev Schreiber & Alex Wolff To Star In 'Human Capital' Movie; Marc Meyers To Direct Oren Moverman Script".
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (November 12, 2018). "Marisa Tomei To Star With Liev Schreiber In 'Human Capital'".
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 14, 2018). "Peter Sarsgaard, Maya Hawke & 'Get Out's Betty Gabriel Are 'Human Capital'".
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 7, 2018). "Liev Schreiber-Starrer 'Human Capital' Adds 'House of Cards' Paul Sparks, Aasif Mandvi & Fred Hechinger".
  9. ^ Harvey, Dennis (2019-09-06). "Toronto Film Review: 'Human Capital'". Variety.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 13, 2019). "'The Aeronauts,' 'Burnt Orange Heresy' Added to Toronto Film Fest Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  11. ^ Donnelly, Matt (October 18, 2019). "Liev Schreiber, Maya Hawke's 'Human Capital' Sells Rights to DirecTV, Vertical Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "Human Capital (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  13. ^ "Human Capital Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  14. ^ Murray, Noel (March 19, 2020). "Review: The threads of 'Human Capital' never really connect". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  15. ^ Morris, Wesley (March 19, 2020). "'Human Capital' Review: The Waiter's in a Coma. Tennis Anyone?". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  16. ^ Ng, Alan (March 19, 2020). "Human Capital". Film Threat. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. ^ Hoolihan, Hannah (March 20, 2020). "Human Capital Review: Maya Hawke & Alex Wolff Anchor Thrilling Drama". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 9, 2021.

External links[edit]