Blush (2019 film)
| Blush | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Debra Eisenstadt |
| Written by | Debra Eisenstadt |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | Wendi McLendon-Covey |
| Cinematography | Frank Tymezuk |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Mel Elias |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Gravitas Ventures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Blush is a 2019 American comedy-drama film directed by Debra Eisenstadt and starring Wendi McLendon-Covey. It premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival under the title Imaginary Order.[1] The film was released on April 10, 2020 by Gravitas Ventures.[2]
Plot
McLendon-Covey plays Cathy, an obsessive-compulsive, middle-aged woman who wrongly suspects that her husband is having an affair. This belief serves as the catalyst for a series of bad choices on her part. Her entire life threatens to become unraveled after she is targeted by an obsessive teen boy.
Cast
- Wendi McLendon-Covey as Cathy
- Christine Woods as Gemma Jean
- Max Burkholder as Xander
- Kate Alberts as Tara
- Steve Little as Matthew
- Catherine Curtin as Gail
Reception
Writing in The Hollywood Reporter, critic Sheri Linden reported that "there’s little that’s neat and tidy about [the film] and that’s one of the movie’s key strengths," that "when it clicks, the film is a provocative combo of emotional fumbling, droll asides and shrewd insights," that the characters "all prove surprising, yet not always in good ways. They’re smart and they’re foolish," and "McLendon-Covey is a revelation [...] she wields her devastating timing in riveting ways here."[3] A review of the film in The Santa Fe Reporter described it as "a strange drama [...] a subversive, excruciating look at suburban American family life and just how tenuous and absurd it can be," and noted that "Burkholder's portrayal of [a] lovesick teen is so painfully spot-on that we cringe despite our best attempts at empathy."[4]
The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics. As of September 2021, 64% of the 14 reviews compiled on Rotten Tomatoes are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[5]
References
- ↑ "Sundance Unveils Politics-Heavy Lineup Featuring Ocasio-Cortez Doc, Feinstein Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (January 16, 2020). "Gravitas Picks Up Sundance Drama 'Blush' Starring Wendi McLendon-Covey". Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ↑ Linden, Sheri (January 26, 2019). "'Imaginary Order': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ De Vore, Alex (October 16, 2019). "Santa Fe Independent Film Festival: 'Imaginary Order' Review". Santa Fe Reporter. Santa Fe Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Imaginary Order (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2021.