Dear Zoe (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Founder | Gren Wells (director), Marc Lhormer and Melissa Martin (screenwriters) |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , United States |
| Products | Film adaptation of Philip Beard's 2005 novel |
Dear Zoe is a 2022 American drama film helmed by director Gren Wells, featuring a screenplay crafted by Marc Lhormer and Melissa Martin. The movie is an adaptation of Philip Beard's 2005 novel and stars Sadie Sink, Theo Rossi, Kweku Collins, Jessica Capshaw, Justin Bartha, and Vivien Lyra Blair.
Plot
Tess DeNunzio, a sixteen-year-old residing in Pittsburgh with her mother Elly, stepfather David, and younger half-sister Em, faces complex family dynamics. Her biological father Nick, who breeds German Shepherds, lives nearby in Braddock. On the day of the September 11 attacks, Tess was supposed to watch her three-year-old half-sister Zoe, who tragically died in a hit-and-run incident. Following this loss, Tess took on caregiving responsibilities for Em while Elly battled depression. Although the family attends therapy sessions, Tess often feels disconnected from their shared mourning. After uncovering Elly’s emotional involvement with Justin, a younger grocery store employee, Tess experiences an emotional breakdown and decides to move in with Nick, despite feelings of guilt over leaving Em behind.
At Nick’s home, Tess forms a connection with one of his puppies and gradually resumes spending time with Em when Nick drives her to school. They attend church services together, where a hymn triggers an emotional response linked to 9/11. Tess develops an interest in her neighbor Jimmy Freeze, who claims familiarity with her father. When Tess offers Jimmy a beer, Nick intervenes and she discovers that Nick is involved in drug trafficking from his vehicle. Though she confronts him about this, Nick persists with his illegal activities.
Jimmy visits Tess during the night; their bond grows as they share personal family hardships and eventually share a kiss. Tess keeps their relationship hidden from Nick. As summer approaches, Em experiences loneliness; meanwhile, Tess reconnects with Elly through weekly phone calls in which Elly expresses her fear of losing Tess. While living with Nick, Tess finds it somewhat easier to cope with Zoe’s death. Jimmy assists Tess in obtaining a summer job at the Kennywood amusement park where he works; their relationship deepens as they declare their love for one another.
On Tess’s seventeenth birthday, both Nick and Jimmy are arrested on charges related to drugs. Tess opens up to her mother about Jimmy and her job at the amusement park. After their release, Jimmy stays at Tess’s home; they become intimate and she shares the story of Zoe’s passing. Jimmy offers reassurance of his commitment.
Ultimately, Tess returns home and emotionally reconciles with Elly, David, and Em. She attains closure by standing at the site where Zoe was fatally struck.
Cast
- Sadie Sink as Tess DeNunzio
- Theo Rossi as Nick DeNunzio
- Kweku Collins as Jimmy Freeze
- Jessica Capshaw as Elly Gladstone
- Justin Bartha as David Gladstone
- Vivien Lyra Blair as Emily Gladstone
- Mckenzie Noel Rusiewicz as Zoe Gladstone
- Tanyell Waivers as Vicky
Production
Principal photography occurred between October and November 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, employing mainly local crew members. The adaptation process involved an extended pre-production period since the novel was optioned in 2010.
Release
The film debuted in limited theatres and on-demand platforms on November 4, 2022. It later became available on DVD on December 13, 2022, followed by a Blu-ray release on February 14, 2023.