Ezra

Trailer, Teaser & Videos:
Poster & Photos:
Movie Details:
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Comedy, Drama |
Release Dates | September 9, 2023 (TIFF) May 31, 2024 (United States) |
Running Time | 1hr 40min |
Age rating | R |
Cast | Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson |
Directed by | Tony Spiridakis |
Written by | Tony Spiridakis |
Produced by | William Horberg, Jon Kilik, Tony Goldwyn, Tony Spiridakis |
Cinematography by | Daniel Moder |
Edited by | Sabine Hoffman |
Music by | Carlos Rafael Rivera |
Production Companies | Wayfarer Studios Closer Media |
Distributor | Bleecker Street |
Cast & Characters:
- Bobby Cannavale as Max Brandel
- Robert De Niro as Stan, Max’s father
- Rose Byrne as Jenna, Max’s ex-wife
- William Fitzgerald as Ezra, Max’s son
- Vera Farmiga as Grace, an old friend of Max
- Whoopi Goldberg as Jayne, Max’s manager and friend
- Rainn Wilson as Nick, a childhood friend of Max who runs a summer camp
- Tony Goldwyn as Bruce, a hostile lawyer and Jenna’s current boyfriend
- Geoffrey Owens as Robert Segal, a talent scout and producer for Jimmy Kimmel Live
- Alex Plank as Dr. Kaplan
- Matilda Lawler as Ruby, Grace’s daughter
Storyline:
The film follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro), while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives.The film follows Max Bernal, who blows up his successful career and marriage to become a somewhat less successful stand-up comic.
About Ezra Movie:
Ezra is an American comedy-drama film directed by Tony Goldwyn and written by Tony Spiridakis. It stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Goldwyn, William Fitzgerald, and Robert De Niro.
Tony Spiridakis began crafting the script for the film years before production, drawing deeply from personal experiences. Inspired by his relationship with his autistic son and the challenges of his marriage breaking up during his son’s teenage years, Spiridakis shaped the story as a reflection of his journey. In an interview, he explained that the screenplay became a realization that he didn’t need to “fix” his son’s autism but instead embrace it. Over the years, Spiridakis frequently shared drafts of the script with his close friend, actor Tony Goldwyn. After the script underwent significant revisions and reached its final form, Goldwyn read it and asked to direct the film.
Initially announced in May 2022 under the title Inappropriate Behavior, the film’s principal photography took place in September 2022 across locations in Westwood and Jersey City, New Jersey. The creators were determined to cast an autistic actor in the lead role, eventually selecting 15-year-old William Fitzgerald, who had submitted an audition tape as part of his efforts to gain acting experience for a future YouTube channel. Fitzgerald’s performance earned him the titular role.
Robert De Niro joined the cast after finding the story personally resonant, as one of his seven children is autistic. Whoopi Goldberg, personally approached by Goldwyn, agreed to join the project even before reading the script. To ensure authenticity, the production included multiple autistic crew members, while other cast and crew members had close personal connections to autism. During the filmmaking process, the team sought feedback from the autism community by screening various cuts of the film.
Ezra Release Date:
The film, retitled Ezra, had its world premiere on September 9, 2023, at the Toronto International Film Festival. In November 2023, Bleecker Street acquired its distribution rights. The theatrical release in the United States followed on May 31, 2024.
Budget & Box Office Collection:
Budget | N/A |
Worldwide Collection | $3.2 million |