Juniper (2023)
89%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Juniper, the latest film from director Matthew Saville, has received mixed reviews from critics. While some praise the film’s personal details and production design, others criticize its slow pacing and lack of authentic emotion. However, one thing that all critics seem to agree on is the standout performance from Charlotte Rampling, who brings a refreshing tartness to the film and elevates it from sinking into gooey sentimentality. Rampling’s indomitable presence and deep-set eyes are showcased in this film, and filmmakers should continue to do so for as long as she’s working. Overall, Juniper may not be groundbreaking, but it’s worth watching for Rampling’s performance alone.
“Juniper” may not be the most groundbreaking film out there, but it’s worth watching just for Charlotte Rampling’s performance. She brings a refreshing tartness to the film that keeps it from being too sentimental. The story may be familiar, but the relationship between the odd couple is what makes it interesting. Plus, at only 94 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Overall, “Juniper” is a solid film that’s worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of Rampling’s indomitable presence and deep-set eyes.
Production Company(ies)
VOD
Distributor
Greenwich Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 34m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:New Zealand
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 2023 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2023
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Charlotte Rampling, George Ferrier, Marton Csokas, Edith Poor, Cameron Carter-Chan, Carlos Muller, directed by Matthew J Saville, written by Matthew J Saville, produced by Desray Armstrong, Angela Littlejohn, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Christy Lemire, Jude Dry, Rex Reed, Peter Sobczynski, Gary Goldstein, Beatrice Loayza, Chance Solem-Pfeifer, Alyssa Christian, Wade Major, Richard Crouse, Jackie K Cooper, genre, MPAA rating, Greenwich Entertainment, Scope (2.35:1), Ruth, Sam, Robert, Nurse Sarah, Shaggas, Va Donk
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,821
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,692,500
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Marton Csokas – Robert
George Ferrier – Sam
Edith Poor – Nurse Sarah
Cameron Carter-Chan – Shaggas
Carlos Muller – Va Donk
Director: Matthew J. Saville
Producers: Desray Armstrong, Angela Littlejohn
Writer: Matthew J. Saville
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Director(s)
Matthew J. Saville
Writer(s)
Matthew J. Saville
Producer(s)
Desray Armstrong, Angela Littlejohn
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (4)
It feels personal in a lot of the details and production design… That elevates it from a generic story.
March 3, 2023
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
The movie holds back at every potential dramatic turn, gripping the emotional reins tight where it could have loosened them. But Rampling brings a quiet gravitas to the surly character.
February 27, 2023 | Rating: B
Jude Dry
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
Charlotte Rampling coming out of semi-retirement is an occasion that should be accompanied by fireworks — and she provides the fireworks herself in this film about healing fractured family dynamics.
February 27, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Rex Reed
Observer
TOP CRITIC
[Rampling] brings a refreshing tartness to “Juniper” that keeps it from sinking entirely into gooey sentimentality.
February 24, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Sobczynski
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Saville too often skims the surfaces of his characters, substituting traumatic concepts and plot devices for narrative logic and truly authentic, compelling emotion.
February 24, 2023
Gary Goldstein
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The film… maintains some of its prickly charm, in no small part because of the feisty Rampling, whose ice-queen persona here straddles bone-dry humor and withering tragedy.
February 23, 2023
Beatrice Loayza
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Filmmakers should showcase Rampling’s indomitable presence and deep-set eyes for as long as she’s working, but ideally with more actors capable of facing the look.
March 8, 2023 | Rating: 2/4
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Willamette Week
Saville’s directorial debut is solid, just like his script, even if it is not groundbreaking. Despite being rather slowly paced, at 94 minutes, the film goes by rather quickly and doesn’t feel like it overstays its welcome.
March 3, 2023 | Rating: 6/10
Alyssa Christian
Next Best Picture
We’ve seen this a million times — but not with Charlotte Rampling, and she’s what elevates this.
March 3, 2023
Wade Major
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
Juniper takes some time to get where it is going, but once invested in this odd couple, the familiar story beats fade and the strength of the relationship takes over, making for a more interesting ride to the film’s predictable conclusion.
March 2, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
The evolution of a relationship between a seventeen year old boy and his grandmother is emotionally fulfilling.
March 1, 2023 | Rating: 8/10
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com
The film turns toward a two-hander for the promising newcomer and the effortlessly brilliant acting legend.
March 1, 2023
Joel Copling
Spectrum Culture…
Plot
Retired war correspondent Ruth and her troubled grandson Sam form an unexpected bond when they are brought together under the same roof in Juniper.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Charlotte Rampling’s performance in Juniper, saying she holds the viewer rapt from start to finish.
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