The defence The Prestige Tourist
“Ambition earns the room.”
The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.
Back to trending 
The Death & Life of John F. Donovan
Drama · 2019
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he once shared with the former, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.
Movie details
The Death & Life of John F. Donovan
2019 Drama 2h 3m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.9 / 10
Community rating
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he once shared with the former, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Death & Life of John F. Donovan?
For the defence
The Prestige Tourist
“You like your greatness pre-approved.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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tick, tick... BOOM!
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Sunset Boulevard
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A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Xavier Dolan
Written by
Xavier Dolan · Jacob Tierney
Kit Harington
John F. Donovan
Natalie Portman
Sam Turner
Jacob Tremblay
Rupert Turner
Susan Sarandon
Grace Donovan
Kathy Bates
Barbara Haggermaker
Ben Schnetzer
Rupert Turner (21 y.o.)
Thandiwe Newton
Journalist
Court is in session
Put The Death & Life of John F. Donovan on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Importance has entered the chat.”
The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.