The Letter, previously called The Stare, is a 2012 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Jay Anania, starring Winona Ryder and James Franco. Franco is a former student of Anania's, who teaches directing at NYU.'The Stare': James Franco, Winona Ryder In New Film The Huffington Post. 18 April 2011 The pair previously collaborated on Shadows and Lies. In 2012, it was announced that Lionsgate purchased the distribution rights to the film, which was retitled The Letter. The film got its first theatrical showing at the Cincinnati Film Festival on September 9, 2012.Cincinnati Film Festival scheduled Cincinnati.com. 11 August 2012
Plot A playwright, Martine (Ryder), suffers from paranoia and hallucinations as she attempts to stage a new production. She is uncertain over whether she is deluded or if there is a plot against her. The ending is ambiguous as the viewers are left to deduce Martine's condition. Tyrone (Franco) is an actor in Martine's new play.James Franco and Winona Ryder cast in 'The Stare' The Independent. 20 April 2011
Cast
Reception In his review in Slant Magazine, Nick Schager said that "the film utilizes its familiar premise for little more than wannabe-profound aesthetic masturbation, leaving its cast to vainly attempt to energize scenarios without purpose."
Writing for 7MPictures, Liam Carr said that "The Letter is not a thriller. It is barely a film. It's a boring, self-important, disjointed and pointless pile of tripe masquerading as a movie."
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