''Conventioneers'' is a 2005 American

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a sub-genre of comedy and Romance novel, romance fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount all obstacles. Ro ...

film directed by Mora Stephens (in her feature directorial debut), who co-wrote the screenplay with Joel Viertel. It stars Matthew Mabe, Woodwyn Koons, and Alek Friedman. It revolves around a Republican man who, visiting

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

for the first time as a delegate to the

Republican National Convention The Republican National Convention (RNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by the Republican Party in the United States. They are administered by the Republican National Committee. The goal o ...

, falls into an unlikely affair with a Democratic woman. The film had its world premiere at the

Tribeca Film Festival The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by Tribeca Enterprises. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive programming. The festival ...

on April 25, 2005, and was given a

limited theatrical release __FORCETOC__ Limited theatrical release is a film distribution strategy of releasing a new film in a few cinemas across a country, typically art house theaters in major metropolitan markets. Since 1994, a limited theatrical release in the Unite ...

in the United States on October 20, 2006, by Cinema Libre Studio. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 21st Independent Spirit Awards.

Cast

* Matthew Mabe as David Massey * Woodwyn Koons as Lea Jones * Alek Friedman as Dylan Murtaugh * Alicia Harding as Elizabeth Massey * Krista Kujat as Elena Murtaugh * Robert O'Gorman as Nat Jones * Nathan Phillips as Phil Zando * Joe Schiappa as Joe Henderson * Kate Duyn as Ann Cameron

Production

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as the ...

took place in New York City in 2004. In a 2007 interview, Mora Stephens explained her vision for the film:

Reception

Nathan Lee of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' stated, "The achievement of the film has less to do with guerrilla tactics than with its shrewd interface of the personal and political." Dennis Harvey of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' praised, "Koons, Friedman and Mabe in particular are all terrific" and also commented, "Script by Stephens and producer-editor-spouse Joel Viertel walks a tricky middle path with seemingly casual, semi-improvised aplomb." Ed Gonzalez of ''

Slant Magazine ''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New Yor ...

'' gave ''Conventioneers'' 2.5 out of 4 stars and wrote, "The film's synthesis of fiction and documentary is smooth and compelling, especially during its climax inside

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

, but the story is smaller than its visual britches, toeing a predictable line of conflict." Eric Kohn of '' IndieWire'' opined, "The finale is both romantically tragic and crushing in a larger sense to anyone with lingering aches from the second victory of

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who was the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Bush family and the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he i ...

References

External links

* {{Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award 2005 films 2005 directorial debut films 2005 independent films 2005 romantic comedy films 2000s American films 2000s English-language films 2000s political comedy films American independent films American political comedy films American romantic comedy films English-language independent films English-language political comedy films English-language romantic comedy films Films about presidential elections Films about adultery in the United States Films scored by H. Scott Salinas Films set in New York City Films shot in New York City John Cassavetes Award winners