Martin Donovan talks about making the "Collaborator"
Robert Longfellow (Martin Donovan, THE OPPOSITE OF SEX, “Boss”, Weeds”) is a famous playwright who can’t seem to catch a break. His recent Broadway play was met with horrible reviews and an early cancellation, and his marriage is being tested as an old flame (Olivia Williams, THE GHOST WRITER, RUSHMORE) has reentered his life during a particular moment of weakness. Retreating back to his childhood home to visit his mother (Katherine Helmond, BRAZIL), Robert crosses paths with his childhood neighbor, Gus (David Morse, THE GREEN MILE, DANCER IN THE DARK, “Treme”). A right-wing, ex-con who still lives at home with his mother, Gus is Robert’s polar opposite in every possible way. When Gus holds Robert hostage at gunpoint during a drunken reunion gone terribly wrong, the drama unfolds as social status, celebrity and the imminent threat of violence converge, building up to a climax that will leave both men forever changed.
With an acclaimed acting career spanning over 20 years, including starring roles in a number of iconic Hal Hartley films beginning with TRUST in 1990, COLLABORATOR marks Martin Donovan’s first time behind the camera as a writer and director, and he makes the most of it in this riveting and insightful debut.
MARTIN DONOVAN (Robert Longfellow and Writer/Director)
Martin Donovan’s appearance in all episodes of season two of the critically acclaimed Showtime television series “Weeds” playing Mary-Louise Parker’s love interest continues a string of collaborations with Ms. Parker, including MGM’s SAVED!, the romantic comedy PIPE DREAM and Jane Campion’s THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY.
Martin will next be seen in Mira Nair’s THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST with Kiefer Sutherland, Kate Hudson and Live Schreiber. Other recent film appearances include UNTHINKABLE with Samuel L. Jackson, the Matthew Ryan Hope-directed THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND with Kevin Spacey and Don Cheadle, THE SENTINEL opposite Keifer Sutherland and Michael Douglas, WIND CHILL with Emily Blunt and Ashton Holmes, and THE QUIET opposite Edie Falco. Martin also starred opposite Al Pacino in director Chris Nolan’s INSOMNIA for Warner Bros., as well as MGM’s AGENT CODY BANKS. Other film credits include the critically acclaimed THE OPPOSITE OF SEX, as well as LIVING OUT LOUD, IN A SAVAGE LAND, ONEGIN, HEAVEN, HOLLOW REED, and NADJA.
In THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY Martin played Nicole Kidman’s doomed cousin and admirer for which he won the National Society of Film Critic’s Award for best supporting actor.
Donovan has enjoyed a long association with celebrated director Hal Hartley, starring in several of his films, including AMATEUR, which was selected for both the Cannes and New York Film Festivals. Other Hartley collaborations are SIMPLE MEN, which was also an official Cannes selection, TRUST, SURVIVING DESIRE, FLIRT, and THE BOOK OF LIFE, which was shown at the New York Film Festival.
Donovan has enjoyed a long association with celebrated director Hal Hartley, starring in several of his films, including AMATEUR, which was selected for both the Cannes and New York Film Festivals. Other Hartley collaborations are SIMPLE MEN, which was also an official Cannes selection, TRUST, SURVIVING DESIRE, FLIRT, and THE BOOK OF LIFE, which was shown at the New York Film Festival.
Martin’s TV credits include starring in the “Masters of Horror: Right to Life” for Showtime, the FX telefilm “RFK,” and the Fox series “Pasadena.” Other television credits include “Amy and Isabelle,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “The Great Gatsby,” and HBO’s “When Trumpets Fade.” Donovan made his television series regular début in the critically acclaimed drama series “Wonderland.” He can currently be seen in Starz Network’s series “Boss,” with Kelsey Grammer.
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