Sorry, Haters
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Jeff Stanzler |
| Products | Drama film |
Sorry, Haters is a 2005 drama motion picture both penned and helmed by Jeff Stanzler, featuring performances from Robin Wright, Abdellatif Kechiche, Élodie Bouchez, and Sandra Oh. Distributed by IFC Films, it debuted at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and had a limited theatrical release across North America starting March 1, 2006. The film became available on DVD on August 8, 2006.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of post-9/11 New York City, the story follows Ashade, a Syrian cab driver, who picks up Phoebe, a producer for the reality series Sorry, Haters airing on the Q-Dog network. Phoebe instructs Ashade to drive to a suburban New Jersey neighborhood so she can surveil her former husband’s residence, revealing her emotional struggle after losing custody and assets in their divorce.
On their way back, Phoebe discovers that Ashade holds a doctorate in chemistry and is entangled in legal difficulties: his brother, a Canadian national, remains imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay despite unsuccessful appeals, and Ashade is supporting his sister-in-law who is an undocumented French-Canadian. Phoebe offers to assist by introducing him to a prominent attorney.
Yet Phoebe’s help soon takes a troubling turn, prompting Ashade to escape. In retaliation, Phoebe disrupts Ashade’s life further. To restore order, Ashade must confront Phoebe and uncover the true intentions behind her actions.
Cast
- Robin Wright as Phoebe Torrence
- Abdelattif Kechiche as Ashade Mouhana
- Élodie Bouchez as Eloise
- Aasif Mandvi as Hassan
- Sandra Oh as Phyllis Magintyre
- Fred Durst as Evan Jealous
- Josh Hamilton as man (uncredited)
- Sebastian Roché as Mick Sutcliffe (uncredited)
Release
Sorry, Haters had its first screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2005, followed by a showing at AFI Fest on November 7, 2005. The DVD release occurred on August 8, 2006, including a special roundtable titled "No Apologies" hosted by the Independent Film Channel (IFC). Actor Tim Robbins moderated this discussion with participants such as Mary-Louise Parker, director Julian Schnabel, and film critics Paul Thompson and Lisa Hintelman. The conversation delves into the film’s themes and audience responses.
Reception
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Sorry, Haters maintains a 37% approval rating based on 38 critical reviews. While Robin Wright Penn and Abdel Kechiche received praise for their performances, many critics felt the movie became increasingly uneven in tone. The third act was frequently described as perplexing. Derek Armstrong of AllMovie commended the acting but expressed disappointment over the film’s descent into absurdity, suggesting it "owes its audience an apology."
Film critic Roger Ebert awarded three out of four stars, emphasizing Robin Wright’s portrayal as a compelling reason to watch despite narrative weaknesses. He observed that although the storyline loses focus toward the end, Wright’s performance remains engaging.
Reviewers also highlighted unclear messaging. Maitland McDonagh of TV Guide commented that director Stanzler’s treatment of post-9/11 issues appeared muddled and ultimately weakened the film’s impact by its conclusion.
Accolades
In 2007, Sorry, Haters earned nominations for two Independent Spirit Awards, specifically for Best Screenplay and Best Female Lead. Additionally, Wright secured the Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress.