Humpday

Humpday
Name	Humpday
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Lynn Shelton
Producer	Lynn Shelton, Steven Schardt
Writer	Lynn Shelton
Starring	Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore
Music	Vince Smith
Cinematography	Benjamin Kasulke
Editing	Nat Sanders
Studio	Magnolia Pictures
Distributor	Magnolia Pictures
Released	18 January 2009 (Sundance Film Festival)
Runtime	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$Unknown
Gross	$Unknown

Humpday is a 2009 American independent mumblecore comedy film written and directed by Lynn Shelton. The film stars Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard as two straight male friends who, on a whim, decide to make an art film for an amateur porn festival, challenging their notions of friendship, masculinity, and sexuality. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, it was critically acclaimed for its improvisational style and nuanced exploration of modern relationships, becoming a landmark film within the mumblecore movement and earning Shelton a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize.

Plot

Two longtime friends, the settled Ben (Mark Duplass) and the bohemian Andrew (Joshua Leonard), reunite during a late-night visit in Seattle. At a wild party, they become intrigued by the concept of the HUMP! Film Festival, an event celebrating amateur erotic filmmaking. In a haze of alcohol and one-upmanship, they impulsively pledge to create a film of themselves having sex together, framing it as a radical art project. This pact sends them on a comedic and increasingly anxious journey as they attempt to follow through, straining Ben's marriage to his wife Anna (Alycia Delmore) and forcing both men to confront their own insecurities, latent desires, and the boundaries of their friendship. The film culminates in a painfully awkward and ultimately revealing attempt to shoot their project, which leads to a climactic confrontation that redefines their relationship.

Cast

* Mark Duplass as Ben, a married man whose conventional life is upended by Andrew's return. * Joshua Leonard as Andrew, a free-spirited traveler who instigates the controversial art project. * Alycia Delmore as Anna, Ben's patient but increasingly frustrated wife. * Lynn Shelton as Monica, a party host and friend of the group. * Trina Willard as Trina, a guest at the pivotal party. * The film also features appearances by other Seattle-based actors and artists, contributing to its authentic, localized feel.

Production

Lynn Shelton conceived the film's premise as a exploration of male intimacy and competitiveness within the framework of an improvisational film. Shot on a minimal budget in Seattle, Washington, the production embraced the aesthetics of the mumblecore genre, utilizing naturalistic dialogue and performances. Key collaborators included cinematographer Benjamin Kasulke and editor Nat Sanders, who helped craft the film's intimate, vérité style. The actors, particularly Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard, worked extensively from an outline rather than a rigid script, allowing for organic and often humorous interactions that drive the narrative's emotional core.

Release

Humpday premiered on January 18, 2009, at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was quickly acquired for distribution by Magnolia Pictures. Following its festival run, which included screenings at the Cannes Film Festival (Directors' Fortnight) and the Toronto International Film Festival, it received a limited theatrical release in the United States beginning in July 2009. The film's release was bolstered by positive reviews and significant word-of-mouth, establishing it as a standout title in Magnolia Pictures's roster of independent films.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed at Lynn Shelton's direction and the performances of Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a high approval rating, with critics highlighting its intelligent humor and genuine emotional stakes. Roger Ebert awarded the film three and a half stars, commending its treatment of a provocative premise with sensitivity and insight. For her work, Shelton was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The film is often cited as a prime example of the creative potential within the mumblecore movement.

Legacy

Humpday is considered a pivotal film in the career of Lynn Shelton and within the mumblecore canon, demonstrating the genre's capacity to tackle complex social themes. It helped solidify the reputations of Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard as leading figures in independent cinema. The film's success paved the way for Shelton's subsequent projects like Your Sister's Sister and television work on series such as GLOW and Little Fires Everywhere. Its exploration of masculinity, friendship, and performance continues to be referenced in discussions about modern American independent filmmaking.

Category:2009 films Category:American comedy films Category:Mumblecore films