Winter Passing

This dramatic comedy marks the debut feature film for writer/directory Adam Rapp.  Winter Passing focuses on the fragile reunion of a father and daughter who have been estranged.  Struggling actress Reese Holden, played by Zooey Dechanel, is promised $100,000 by book editor Lori Lansky (Amy Madigan).  In order to receive the money Holden has to secure the love letters written to her mother by her legendary and reclusive novelist father Don, played by Ed Harris, solely for the publication’s use. 

With money as her main motivation, Reese journeys from New York City to Michigan to find her father.  What she finds is her father living in blatant disregard of his own health and two housemates Shelly (Amilia Warner), a no-nonsense former grad student, and Corbit (Will Ferrell) a struggling musician living with him.  Reese’s disapproval of her father’s lifestyle and makeshift family is obvious but, with time and soul bearing, she comes to appreciate her new “siblings” and comes to terms with several issues she has with her father.