Hello I Must Be Going is a 2012 American comedy-drama film written by Sarah Koskoff and directed by Todd Louiso. It stars Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Abbott and Blythe Danner. The film had its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and was released theatrically in the United States on September 7, 2012. The title is a reference to a song from the Marx Brothers' film Animal Crackers.
Hello I Must Be Going | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Todd Louiso |
Produced by | Hans Ritter Mary Jane Skalski |
Written by | Sarah Koskoff |
Starring | Melanie Lynskey Christopher Abbott Blythe Danner John Rubinstein |
Music by | Laura Veirs |
Cinematography | Julie Kirkwood |
Edited by | Tom McArdle |
Production company | Skyscraper Content Union Entertainment Group |
Distributed by | Oscilloscope Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $106,709 |
Speaking of the casting decision of Lynskey in the lead, director Todd Louiso said, “I knew if I cast her, the film had the potential to resonate on a thousand different levels.” After Lynskey's audition, “there was no one else.” The role represented a career breakthrough for Lynskey, who had previously played in numerous supporting roles. In Hello I Must Be Going, she appears in every scene.
Screenplay
In the midst of a divorce and condemned to move back in with her parents at the age of 35, Amy Minsky's prospects are looking bleak. She's depressed, out of work, and fed up with everybody's so-called "advice", but a secret love affair with a handsome 19-year-old gradually reinstates her self-esteem.
- Melanie Lynskey as Amy
- Blythe Danner as Ruth Minsky
- John Rubinstein as Stan Minsky
- Christopher Abbott as Jeremy
- Julie White as Gwen
- Sara Chase as Missy
- Daniel Eric Gold as Noah
- Jimmi Simpson as Phil
- Meera Simhan as Karen
- Dan Futterman as David
Filming took place primarily in Westport, Connecticut in August 2011. The shoot lasted 20 days.
The film received positive reviews from critics; it currently holds a 75% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 51 reviews, with the site's conensus stating: "Hello I Must Be Going offers an offbeat twist to the romance genre, a solid character study for fans of grown-up drama, and a career-making breakout vehicle for Melanie Lynskey." USA Today called it "a funny, well-written, involving and emotionally honest tale." Particular praise was given to Lynskey, with The Seattle Times calling her performance "a master class in acting." The Washington Post commented that " succeeds almost entirely on the strength of Lynskey's heartfelt and humorous performance," while Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Lynskey inhabits the role so completely, brings such exquisite naturalness to her performance, that she becomes someone we root for unreservedly."
The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and was named one of the Top Ten Independent Films of 2012 by the National Board of Review. Lynskey's performance earned a nomination for Breakthrough Actor at the 2012 Gotham Awards.
The film's soundtrack was released on September 11, 2012. It features instrumental and vocal material by American singer/songwriter Laura Veirs.