The D Train
| The D Train | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Giles Nuttgens |
| Edited by | Terel Gibson |
| Music by | Andrew Dost |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | IFC Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million[2] |
| Box office | $771,317[3] |
The D Train (also known as Bad Bromance)[4] is a 2015 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel in their directorial debuts, and stars Jack Black and James Marsden. The film premiered at the 11th Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2015, and was released in the United States on May 8, 2015 by IFC Films.
Summary
Dan Landsman (Jack Black) is the self-proclaimed chairman of his Pittsburgh high school's alumni committee. While planning the twenty-year reunion he has the idea of convincing Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy in his graduating class (and now a TV-commercial celebrity) to return, thinking that this will make people want to attend.
Dan constructs a ruse for his boss to take a trip to Hollywood on the pretext of business. After a drug-and alcohol-laden night with Oliver, who has revealed his sexual fluidity, Dan convinces Oliver to come to the reunion. This happens after sex between the two.
Cast
- Jack Black as Daniel Gregory Landsman (aka The D Train)[5]
- James Marsden as Oliver Lawless[5]
- Kathryn Hahn as Stacey
- Jeffrey Tambor as Bill Shurmur
- Russell Posner as Zach Landsman
- Kyle Bornheimer as Randy
- Mike White as Jerry
- Henry Zebrowski as Craig
- Denise Williamson as Alyssa
- Donna Duplantier as Taj
- Han Soto as Dale
- John-Paul Flaim as Radio Host
- Eric Bickel as Radio Host
- John Auville as Radio Host
- Jason Bishop as Radio Host
Production
On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Jack Black and James Marsden would star in a comedy film, directing debut of Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, which Black's Electric Dynamite produced with Mike White's RipCord Productions and Ben Latham-Jones and Barnaby Thompson of Ealing Studios.[6][5]
Filming
According to a casting call, the shooting was set to begin on March 17, 2014, in Metairie, Louisiana.[7] Later on March 19, Black was spotted during the filming of The D Train in New Orleans.[8] Due to Black's schedule, the film was shot in just 21 days.[9]
Music
In October 2014, Andrew Dost was hired to compose the music for the film.[10]
A Pittsburgh sports radio segment playing when Dan arrives at a sports bar includes an audio cameo by John-Paul "JP" Flaim, Eric "EB" Bickel, Johnny "Cakes" Auville and Jason "Lurch" Bishop - the titular hosts of The Sports Junkies in Washington - who portray Pittsburgh sports talk radio hosts. The Junkies also released audio of them reading their lines in studio.[11]
Release
The D Train was released theatrically in the United States on May 8, 2015, by IFC Films.[3]
Box office
As of November 10, 2015, the film has grossed $771,317.[3]
In its opening weekend, the film grossed $447,524 from 1,009 theaters ($444 per theater), which is the 15th worst opening for a wide release film of all-time.[12] In its second weekend, the film was pulled from 847 screens, and its weekend-to-weekend gross fell 96.5%, as it only earned $15,714 ($97 per theater).
Critical response
The film has received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a rating of 49%, based on 117 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The site's consensus reads "The D Train offers Jack Black a too-rare opportunity to showcase his range, but its story and characters are too sloppily conceived to hold together as a film."[13] On Metacritic the film has a score of 55 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[14]
The New York Post described the film as "cute, breezy fun".[15]
References
- ^ "THE D TRAIN (15)". British Board of Film Classification. June 5, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ^ http://deadline.com/2015/01/ifc-jack-black-d-train-sundance-3-million-1201358193/
- ^ a b c "The D Train (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Bromance-DVD-Jack-Black/dp/B016DQR098
- ^ a b c Sneider, Jeff (February 10, 2014). "Jack Black, James Marsden to Star in High School Reunion Comedy The D Train". The Wrap. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ Kit, Borys. "Jack Black and James Marsden to Star in The D Train". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ P. King, Kevin (March 15, 2014). "Caucasian Male, height 5'6 or shorter, to work as a stand in for THE D TRAIN on Monday in Metairie, LA". The Southern Casting Call. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ "The D Train, starring Jack Black and James Marsden, filming underway in Louisiana". On Location Vacations. March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ "'The D Train' writer/directors deliver a big twist in a movie that almost didn't get made". The Frame. May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ^ "D-Train to Feature Music by Fun.'s Andrew Dost". Film Music Reporter. October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- ^ The Sports Junkies reading their D-Train lines Play.it
- ^ "Worst Wide Release Openings of All-Time". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ^ "The D Train". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ "The D Train". Metacritic. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ Smith, Kyle (January 24, 2015). "Rookie filmmakers hit the mark with charming D-Train". New York Post. Retrieved January 29, 2015.