About Winter Passing

Winter Passing is a 2005 American drama film directed by Adam Rapp and starring Ed Harris, Zooey Deschanel, and Will Ferrell. The story revolves around actress Reese Holden, who has been offered a small fortune by a book editor if she can secure for publication the love letters her father, a reclusive novelist, wrote to her mother, who has since passed away. Returning to Michigan, Reese finds out that her father's house has been turned into a virtual commune.

Making / Production

The film was shot on various locations in Michigan and New York. Adam Rapp, the director, was inspired to write the screenplay after his own experience of finding a stash of letters from his parents. The movie was well received and has won numerous awards.

Actors

• Zooey Deschanel as Reese Holden: An edgy, erstwhile promising actress trying to come to terms with her past and a unique family dynamic.
• Ed Harris as Don Holden: A renowned, yet reclusive author and the father of Reese.
• Will Ferrell as Corbit: A strange and introverted musician living with Don.
• Amelia Warner as Shelly: An affectionate English student of Don's.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The band seen during the bar scene is The Strays, playing their song "Life Support."
• This was the first film where Zooey Deschanel sings on screen, which has since become a trademark of her acting career.
• Director Adam Rapp is also a successful author and playwright.

Quotes

• "Life is not a book. Sorry to break it to you," - Reese Holden.
• "I'm a top flight screw-up who makes ice cubes for a living," - Corbit.
• "Just because it's all screwed up, doesn't mean it's not gonna be okay," - Shelly.

Music, Soundtrack

• "Life Support" performed by The Strays
• "Winter Passing" composed by M. Ward
• "Down in the Valley to Pray" traditional, arranged and performed by Ed Harris