EXCLUSIVE: Frosh distributor Row K Entertainment continues to show that it’s a theatrical force to be reckoned with coming out of the fall film festival troika season now acquiring its fourth title, that being Maude Apatow‘s feature directorial debut, Poetic License. Row K is taking, we hear, North American distribution theatrical rights for mid-seven figures (in the $5.5M-$7M range). The comedy made its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, notching critical reviews at 89% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes where it was embraced by crowds per Deadline Chief Film Critic Pete Hammond with “convulsive laughter.”
Written by Raffi Donatich, Poetic License follows Liz (Leslie Mann), a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, whose family relocates to a new town for her husband’s job – a place where she doesn’t know a soul. Her quiet attempt to settle in takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the point of tension between two inseparable best friends and college seniors, Sam (Cooper Hoffman) and Ari (Andrew Barth Feldman). As their fierce competition for her attention threatens to upend their lives, Liz is pulled into a tangle of longing, self-discovery, and the intoxicating thrill of being truly seen – forcing her to confront the life she’s built and the one she still craves. Poetic License also stars Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Nico Parker, Martha Kelly, Maisy Stella, Will Price, and Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith.
Hammond beamed in his review that the movie “is evidence of the emergence of a major triple-threat talent” in Maude Apatow who also produces here. He further added, “This is the kind of ensemble where you can imagine every one of them, ala American Graffiti, being remembered for their collective early work in this engaging sleeper of a comedy that quite frankly caught me by surprise with so many LOL moments, building to true unbridled hilarity by the time it ends. Poetic License could be the true discovery of this year’s TIFF.”
“Poetic License quickly emerged as one of the standout titles at TIFF, with its sharp filmmaking, smart script, and the undeniable chemistry of its lead cast, captivating audiences and earning rave reviews from critics,” said MCT Principals and Row K Co-Chairman Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh. “This acquisition continues to establish Row K’s presence in the marketplace, and we’re excited to bring the film to the big screen.”
“What struck us about Poetic License is the balance between its laugh-out-loud comedy and its very human observations about growing up – at any age,” said Megan Colligan, President of Row K. “Maude Apatow has announced herself as a filmmaker with a truly distinctive voice, and the energy in that Toronto screening confirmed how much audiences are ready for films like this. It’s a perfect fit for Row K.”
Producers include Judd Apatow and Josh Church for Apatow Productions; Benjamin Hung and Thalia Daniel for August Night (formerly Levantine Films); Maude Apatow and Olivia Rosenbloom for Jewelbox Pictures; and Will Greenfield. EPs include Jamal Daniel, Michelle Upton, Renee Witt, Harrison Kreiss, and Jay Cassidy.
The acquisition was negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers by WME Independent, which is representing global sales rights.
Row K’s festival pick-ups since its launch in August include Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino; Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge’s Charlie Harper starring Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones; and Cliffhanger, a reimagining of the 1993 classic directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James. Cliffhanger didn’t play the festivals, but was screened out of the TIFF market.
Check out our interview with Apatow and cast above at the Deadline TIFF studio.
Row K recently announced three key leadership roles with Mo Rhim as Chief Revenue Officer, Ben Carlson as Chief Marketing Officer, and Steve Garrett as Head of Distribution and Acquisitions.
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