EXCLUSIVE: The Umbrella Academy and Beef actor Justin H. Min is leading cast in indie feature Handle With Care.
The project marks the feature debut of Matthew James Thompson who also penned the script and executive-produced with Min. Cast also includes Nicole Brydon Bloom (The Gilded Age), Elizabeth Paige (Modern Love) and Jon Rudnitsky (SNL).
The story follows Cole (Min) as he navigates the divorce of a year-long marriage from Reese (Nicole Brydon Bloom). Cole learns the tragic realities of divorce while jumping through a series of legal hoops and is tasked with selling their unopened wedding gifts online as they are technically joint assets – really. The absurdity of it all is not lost on Cole, who begins this journey appraising everything in his life both figuratively & literally with a practiced cynicism alongside commentary on the “wedding industrial complex.” However, the strangers he meets along the way via Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Ebay break down his world-weariness. And with the impending nuptials of his best friends (Elizabeth Paige and Jon Rudnitsky) Cole must reconcile his belief that society programs everyone into “happily ever after” and take responsibility for his actions.
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Producers are Barret Hacia (Blackalachia) and Ashim Ahuja (We’re All Gonna Die) under their White Whale banner. The film was also executive-produced by John B. O’Rourke, formerly Warner Bros Director of Theatrical Film Distribution. The team raised finance independently and filmed on location around New York City in October.
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Other cast members include Peter Gerety, Michael Cyril Creighton, Amir Arison, Catherine Curtain, Winslow Bright.
“Matthew has written a beautiful story about the complexities and messiness of divorce and the surprising, vital connections we make along the way,” said Min. “Collaborating with him and our cast and crew has been a dream, and there’s no better backdrop than New York City to help bring this story to life.”
“Making this film has truly been a gift,” added Thompson “We had an incredible crew here in NYC, have been so lucky to cast who we cast, starting of course with Justin Min, and we shot in diverse and textured locations throughout the city — each neighborhood welcoming our production with open arms. I can’t wait to share the result.”
Min most recently starred in the feature films The Greatest Hits, Shortcomings and After Yang.
Thompson is managed by Sunday Funnies Management. Min is represented by CAA, Authentic, and Hansen, Jacobson. Bloom is with Gersh and Authentic Talent and Literary Management. Paige is represented by Buchwald, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Goodman, Genow. Jon Rudnitsky is with Innovative Artists, Ayala Cohen Management and Principal Entertainment. Peter Gerety is represented by Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Paradigm.