The Leisure Class
| The Leisure Class | |
|---|---|
 Promotional release poster | |
| Written by |
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| Directed by | Jason Mann |
| Starring | Ed Weeks Tom Bell Bruce Davison Brenda Strong Bridget Regan |
| Music by | Brian Byrne |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography | Trevor Forrest |
| Editor | Craig Hayes |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Budget | $3 million |
| Original release | |
| Release | November 2, 2015 |
The Leisure Class is a 2015 black comedy farce television film by HBO Films about a man who is trying to marry into a wealthy family and his unpredictable brother. The film was directed by Project Greenlight season four contest winner, Jason Mann, written by Mann and Project Greenlight season one winner Pete Jones, and produced by Effie T. Brown and Marc Jouburt. It is based on a 2012 short film produced and co-written by Mann that premiered at the 2013 Raindance Film Festival. Season 4 of Project Greenlight aired on HBO as a documentary series chronicling the selection of Mann and the production of the film.[2][3] The film premiered in Los Angeles in August 2015 and aired on HBO on November 2, 2015 to universally negative reception with a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.[4]
Production
In November 2014, it was announced that Mann had won Project Greenlight's season 4 contest to direct a film for HBO.[2][3] Originally the contest winner was going to direct Not Another Pretty Woman, a broad comedy screenplay.[5] However, after Mann shared the script for a full-length version of a short film he had written, The Leisure Class, it was decided he would instead direct that script.[4][6] HBO set the film's budget at $3 million.[5][6]
Casting
The main character is played by Ed Weeks,[4][7] and his brother, Leonard, is played by Tom Bell.[3][8] The matriarch of the wealthy family is played by Brenda Strong. The film's cast also includes Bruce Davison, Rory Knox Johnston, Christine Lakin, Bridget Regan, Scottie Thompson, and Melanie Zanetti.[4][7]
Reception
The Leisure Class received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 0%, based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10.[9] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 25 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[10]
References
- ^ a b Lowry, Brian (October 29, 2015). "'Project Greenlight' Delivers Another Clunker With 'The Leisure Class'". Variety. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Weinstein, Shelli (November 8, 2014). "Ben Affleck on 'Project Greenlight' Revival: We Have Enthusiasm and Commitment". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ a b c Ricahrdson, Jay (March 2, 2015). "Tom Bell shoots HBO comedy". chortle.co.uk. Chortle. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Phelan, Paige (August 11, 2015). "Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Tout 'Project Greenlight' at L.A. Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ a b Berman, Judy (September 14, 2015). "'Project Greenlight' Season 4 Premiere Recap". Flavorwire. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ a b Berman, Judy (September 21, 2015). "'Project Greenlight' Season 4 Episode 2 Recap: "Does Jason Fart?"". Flavorwire. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ a b Linda Ge and Jethro Nededog (March 4, 2015). "'Mindy Project's' Ed Weeks, Newcomer Melanie Zanetti Join Project Greenlight Film 'Leisure Class' (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ^ Richardson, Jay (November 2, 2015). "The Unlikely Journey of a British Sketch Duo to HBO's 'Project Greenlight'". Vulture. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "The Leisure Class (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Leisure Class reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 9, 2015.