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IMDbPro

Guest Artist

  • 2019
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
398
YOUR RATING
Jeff Daniels in Guest Artist (2019)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:35
4 Videos
11 Photos
Drama

The story of a young man coming face to face with his hero (Jeff Daniels) and exploring the tangled relationship between the dreams of youth and the wisdom of age.The story of a young man coming face to face with his hero (Jeff Daniels) and exploring the tangled relationship between the dreams of youth and the wisdom of age.The story of a young man coming face to face with his hero (Jeff Daniels) and exploring the tangled relationship between the dreams of youth and the wisdom of age.

  • Director
    • Timothy Busfield
  • Writer
    • Jeff Daniels
  • Stars
    • Jeff Daniels
    • Thomas Macias
    • Richard McWilliams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    398
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Timothy Busfield
    • Writer
      • Jeff Daniels
    • Stars
      • Jeff Daniels
      • Thomas Macias
      • Richard McWilliams
    • 15User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos4

    Guest Artist
    Trailer 1:35
    Guest Artist
    Guest Artist Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    Guest Artist Official Trailer
    Guest Artist Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    Guest Artist Official Trailer
    Guest Artist Official Trailer (2020)
    Trailer 1:35
    Guest Artist Official Trailer (2020)
    Guest Artist: I Need A Life
    Clip 0:18
    Guest Artist: I Need A Life

    Photos10

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    + 6
    View Poster

    Top cast11

    Edit
    Jeff Daniels
    Jeff Daniels
    • Joseph Harris
    Thomas Macias
    • Kenneth Waters
    Richard McWilliams
    • Franz
    Erika Slezak
    Erika Slezak
    • Helen
    McKara Bechler
    • Hope
    Dan Johnson
    • Dan
    Lynch R. Travis
    Lynch R. Travis
    • Larry
    • (as Lynch Travis)
    Ruth Crawford
    • Mary
    Michael A. Alden
    • Blonde in bar
    Aidan Fogarty
    • Bartender
    Bobby Leigh
    Bobby Leigh
    • Dominique
    • Director
      • Timothy Busfield
    • Writer
      • Jeff Daniels
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    5.4398
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    Featured reviews

    7ferguson-6

    You won't be sorry

    Greetings again from the darkness. "Based on an incident which became a play which became a movie." It's with this note, the film version of Jeff Daniels' 2006 play begins. Daniels also stars as (fictional) playwright Joseph Harris, who won a Pulitzer Prize, an achievement he rarely lets anyone forget. Harris' success seems to have left him tormented and blocked, as he hasn't written anything "readable" in 20 years ... a tidbit we learn from his agent (Erika Slezak, more than 2200 episodes of "One Life to Live"). The two meet for "coffee", which is literary code for early drinking ... a hobby Harris seems dedicated to during all waking hours.

    That scene with Mr. Daniels and Ms. Slezak is one of the two best in the film - the other being near the end. The two long time collaborators wage a war of words - some offensively, others defensively - and the agent gives as good as she receives. When he claims to hate television, and proclaims "I'm a playwright", she counters with "You're a dinosaur." We learn much about the Joseph Harris character in this sequence. While it's easy to label him a burnout, we sense there is something deeper that has him dreading the trip from New York City to Michigan to fulfill a contractual obligation with a local theater group.

    Once Harris arrives in small town Michigan, the vast majority of the rest of the film is shot inside the quaint train depot ... a station that most of the passing trains don't even slow down for. Over-eager playwright-wannabe Kenneth Waters (played by newcomer Thomas Macias) is late to meet his hero, and for that, he is subjected to mounds of verbal abuse from Harris, who can barely maintain consciousness over inebriation. Despite his love for the bottom of bottles, Harris proves always capable of a vicious diatribe directed at easy target Kenneth. However, periodically mixed in with the poison, are some words of wisdom for the young man.

    The bulk of the film is a competition between Harris and Kenneth. Can the young local theater apprentice convince the washed up legend to stay in town and fulfill his theatrical duty? Adding spice to the proceedings is the train master (played by Richard McWilliams), who not only wields a wicked baseball bat, but he also sees, hears, and judges everything that happens in his station.

    As part of the ongoing negotiations, Harris agrees to read the first play Kenneth has written. The young man eagerly awaits the insightful feedback from his idol, but the moment becomes a lesson in worshipping heroes ... they are just as human as us. Mr. Macias does manage to mostly hold his own in what easily could have been a one-man show, if not for Harris' need for someone at whom to direct his rants. We half expect Kenneth to mutter, "I'm your number one fan!" as he absorbs the insults and takes in the life lessons.

    The backstory for this one is pretty interesting. Mr. Daniels admitted in an interview that he wrote the story based on actual events in the theater many years ago involving playwright Larnford Wilson, who might not view that as a compliment, were he still alive. This is also the first film under Grand River Productions, a joint venture of Mr. Daniels, Tim Busfield (who directs the film), and Mr. Busfield's wife, actress Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie"). It was shot mostly in Chelsea, Michigan where Mr. Daniels lives, and where he founded his Purple Rose Theater Company. And the homegrown aspect goes even deeper. Busfield's son Wilson Coates Busfield is the DP, while Daniels' son Ben did the composing.

    It seems obvious that Daniels learned some lessons on structuring dialogue from his time on "The Newsroom" with Aaron Sorkin. We hear it in such lines as "I'm a playwright. I'm eternally serious", as well as the ongoing battle between hope and cynicism. Typing out the opening credits is a nice tough for a movie featuring a writer, but the "I'm not sorry" bits are overplayed. As mentioned previously, the two best sequences are that opening in NYC, and the scene outside the depot near the end, when Harris comes clean on what he's written and why - a scene that also includes the best and most heart-breaking line in the film. It may not be "The Great American Play", but there is plenty here to take in and think about. Sorry, not sorry.
    8debicollis

    Like a play. Jeff Daniels, mind blowing soliloquy.

    In the mood to watch something different? Like a play really. My thoughts on it? When the teacher is ready, the teacher will appear. Who do you think was the teacher? . Who do you think was the student? We watched on Kanopy app via our Library card. Jeff Daniels, mind blowing soliloquy near the end. Keep going through the slow middle. This review box requires six hundred characters in order to be posted. I already said all I have to say about it without overstating my opinion, and giving spoilers, which I despise. So I am rambling on until I reach the required six hundred characters Are met. I'm intrigued to seeing if anyone watches it after saying this comment.... peace out.
    9thejdrage

    NOT a film, but a play

    This is a play, my friends. So enjoy it as such and you won't be disappointed at all. Jeff Daniels is, of course, brilliant. And newcomer Thomas Macias matches him set per set. WOW! It's fast and furious in word volley. The payoff is at the end when you find out exactly what .............. well I can't tell you, you'll just have to watch it yourself.
    Gordon-11

    It's not for me

    This is a film where two people keep talking and talking. It seems like they never stop talking. It meanders until the final few minutes, when the conversation becomes meaningful. It may be an artistically accomplished film, but it's not for me.
    10gretchengrad

    Jeff Daniels Tour de Force

    Taut writing and standout performances make "Guest Artist" a gem not to be overlooked. Daniels is in top form as a tormented, brilliant playwright viewing life from the bottom of the bottle. Newcomer Thomas Macias holds his own as the adoring, aspiring playwright confronted with his hero's feet of clay. Gripping.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Partly filmed in Chelsea, Michigan, where Jeff Daniels grew up, and his father was the Mayor, and also owned a lumber company.

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    FAQ18

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • July 10, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Chelsea, Michigan, USA
    • Production company
      • Grand River Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,017
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $944
      • Jul 12, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,017
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 14 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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