Lousy Carter is a 2023 American comedy film written, directed, and produced by Bob Byington. It stars David Krumholtz, Olivia Thirlby, Martin Starr, Stephen Root, Jocelyn DeBoer, and Trieste Kelly Dunn.
Contents
Premise
Lousy Carter was once an acclaimed animator as a young man, but has settled into his middle-aged life as a mediocre college literature professor with a cantankerous personality. When visiting the doctor, he learns that he only has six months to live due to a terminal illness. Rather than trying to turn his life around, he tells no one about his diagnosis and simply continues on with his unexceptional life and failed relationships.
Cast
David Krumholtz as Lousy Carter
Martin Starr as Kaminsky
Olivia Thirlby as Candela
Jocelyn DeBoer as Olivia Kaminsky
Trieste Kelly Dunn as Sister
Stephen Root as Analyst
Macon Blair as Dick Anthony
Luxy Banner as Gail
Jesse Singal as Prison Guy
Production
Jay Duplass was originally set to star before dropping out and being replaced by David Krumholtz. The film was shot in 15 days in December 2021, primarily at the Baker Center in Austin, Texas.
Release
After premiering at the 76th Locarno Film Festival, the film was acquired by Magnolia Pictures for domestic distribution. The film was released in the United States on March 29, 2024.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 35 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.0/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 59 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.