JT LeRoy (film)

JT LeRoy is a 2018 biographical drama film directed by Justin Kelly based on the memoir Girl Boy Girl: How I Became JT Leroy by Savannah Knoop. It stars Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Diane Kruger, James Jagger, Dave Brown, Jim Sturgess and Courtney Love.

JT LeRoy
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJustin Kelly
Produced by
Written by
Based onGirl Boy Girl: How I Became JT Leroy
by Savannah Knoop
Starring
Music byTim Kvasnosky
CinematographyBobby Bukowski
Edited byAaron I. Butler
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • September 15, 2018 (2018-09-15) (TIFF)
  • April 26, 2019 (2019-04-26) (United States)
Running time
108 minutes[1]
Country
  • Canada
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2 million[2]

It had its world premiere as the closing night film of the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.[3] It was released April 26, 2019, by Universal Pictures.

Premise

Savannah Knoop spends six years masquerading as writer Laura Albert's literary persona JT LeRoy, the author credited for the novels Sarah and The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things.

Cast

Production

On February 9, 2016, it was reported that Kristen Stewart, James Franco, and Helena Bonham Carter were circling the film JT LeRoy. Justin Kelly would direct the film based on Savannah Knoop's memoir Girl Boy Girl: How I Became JT Leroy.[4] On March 22, 2017, it was reported that Laura Dern was in talks to join the film. Dern would play Laura Albert alongside Stewart as Knoop.[5] On May 16, 2017, Diane Kruger joined the cast.[6] On May 23, 2017, Jim Sturgess joined the cast.[7] Before the film was fully financed, a skeleton crew attended the 2017 Cannes Film Festival to obtain some necessary footage. As of August 1, 2017, the film had begun principal photography in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Kelvin Harrison Jr., Courtney Love, and James Jagger also joined the cast.[8] As of August 18, 2017, JT LeRoy had wrapped filming.[9]

Release

It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2018.[10][11] Shortly after, Universal Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film.[12] It was released on April 26, 2019.[13]

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 55% approval rating with an average score of 6.06/10, based on 83 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "While it may leave some viewers wishing for a more in-depth exploration of its story and themes, J.T. Leroy offers a diverting dramatization of incredible real-life events."[14] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating to reviews, the film has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[15]

References
  1. "Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  2. Thompson, Anne (September 17, 2018). "How Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern Tried to Save Low-Budget TIFF Closer 'Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy'". IndieWire. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  3. "TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ADDS 26 MORE GALAS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TO 2018 LINEUP" (PDF) (Press release). Toronto International Film Festival. 2018-08-14.
  4. Ford, Rebecca; McClintock, Pamela (February 9, 2016). "Berlin: Kristen Stewart, James Franco, Helena Bonham Carter to Star in 'JT Leroy' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  5. N'Duka, Amanda (March 22, 2017). "Laura Dern In Talks To Join Justin Kelly's Biopic 'JT Leroy'". Deadline. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  6. Hipes, Patrick (May 16, 2017). "Diane Kruger Joins Cast Of 'JT Leroy' Movie – Cannes". Deadline. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  7. Grater, Tom (May 23, 2017). "Jim Sturgess joins Kristen Stewart in JT Leroy biopic". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  8. N'Duka, Amanda (August 1, 2017). "Kelvin Harrison Jr., Courtney Love & James Jagger Board 'JT' Biopic". Deadline. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  9. Sandberg, Patrik (August 18, 2017). "Exclusive: A Behind-the-Scenes First Look at Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern in JT Leroy". W Magazine. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  10. "Movie stars pose for photos before premiere of closing film "Jeremiah Terminator Leroy" in Toronto". XinhuaNet. 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  11. Erbland, Kate (August 14, 2018). "TIFF Announces Chris Pine-Starring 'Outlaw King' Will Open Festival and Kristen Stewart's 'Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy' to Close". IndieWire. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  12. Fleming Jr, Mike (December 14, 2018). "Kristen Stewart Toronto Pic 'JT Leroy' Near U.S. Deal From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Content Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. Hasty, Katie (December 30, 2018). "Here's every 2019 movie release date so far". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  14. "Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  15. "Jeremuah Terminator LeRoy Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
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