Lebanon, Pa. (2011)

50% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(278 ratings)

Director Ben Hickernell explores the deepening divides in American culture with this sweet-and-sour comedy drama tracing the growing bond between a Philadelphia advertising executive and his second cousin, a pregnant teenager. Will (Josh Hopkins) is preparing to bury his father in Lebanon, PA, when… More Director Ben Hickernell explores the deepening divides in American culture with this sweet-and-sour comedy drama tracing the growing bond between a Philadelphia advertising executive and his second cousin, a pregnant teenager. Will (Josh Hopkins) is preparing to bury his father in Lebanon, PA, when he strikes up a conversation with CJ (Rachel Kitson), a distant cousin who has recently gotten pregnant. Her life at a crossroads, CJ isn't quite sure how to handle the situation. Responsibility has never been a strong point for Will, but upon getting to know CJ, he realizes his priorities may have gotten mixed up somewhere along the way. Perhaps by helping CJ through one of the hardest times in her life, Will may finally learn the value in putting others before himself. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Ben Hickernell
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 29, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Feb 13, 2007
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
Since the crux of the tale is a teenager's decision about an unwanted pregnancy, "Lebanon, Pa." can't possibly please everyone. But Hickernell doesn't strain to be provocative.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
Not perfect, but vastly superior to most of the Hollywood dreck we've been getting lately, Lebanon, Pa. is a thoughtful and perceptive film well worth recommending.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
As long as the pic remains rooted in a specific locale's rhythms, it imparts a sense of discovery; but when local color wears thin, bald ideological small-town/big-city oppositions intrude.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Plays out like one of those dull message movies that TV networks used to crank out almost weekly, but the earnestness is at times almost appealingly old-fashioned.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Kitson, who plays CJ, the mouthy, forthright teenager at the center of the storm, illuminates a movie that is otherwise so studiously balanced an examination of teenage pregnancy that it deserves a medal for evenhandedness.
Andrew Schenker, Village Voice
Lebanon, Pa. begins as a tale about male, middle-aged self-discovery, but soon becomes something quite different: a clear-eyed if crassly manipulative take on the culture wars.
Tricia Olszewski, Washington City Paper
Starts off like a self-serious Garden State and ends up like a self-serious Juno.
Eugene Novikov, Cinematical
An intriguing, beautiful film by a promising young director.
Diego Costa, Slant Magazine
This is a plea for self-described indie filmmakers to stop utilizing hyper-polished technique to talk about human misery.
Alison Willmore, AV Club
Displays the delicate touch of a sledgehammer on an old sidewalk.
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News
For the most part it's your classic character-driven movie - the antithesis of an "issue" drama - until a contentious issue surfaces that threatens to overwhelm the story.
Eric Hynes, Time Out New York
The real casualties are momentum and narrative cohesion.
Mark Bell, Film Threat
Lebanon, PA is a beautiful film with powerful characters and a story you can really connect with in a way that won't make you feel gross or manipulated.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A transitional time in the life of a 35-year-old ad agency executive when he has a chance to take a hard look at his life.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

I actually liked this nice, touching, thought provoking little film. Made me smile at the end, and I like when movies do that. I really liked the scene where they set the boat free. There was something very comforting about that. Maybe I should try it....
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Josh Hopkins, Samantha Mathis, Mary Beth Hurt, Rachel Kitson, Ian Merrill Peakes Director: Ben Hickernell Summary: Urbane Philadelphia ad man Will (Josh Hopkins) heads to small-town Lebanon for his father's funeral, and the road leads not only to closure but to a… More
Cast: Josh Hopkins, Samantha Mathis, Mary Beth Hurt, Rachel Kitson, Ian Merrill Peakes Director: Ben Hickernell Summary: Urbane Philadelphia ad man Will (Josh Hopkins) heads to small-town Lebanon for his father's funeral, and the road leads not only to closure but to a revelation when the 35-year-old meets his precocious teenage cousin, CJ (Rachel Kitson), and her winsome teacher, Vicki (Samantha Mathis). As his friendship with CJ deepens and his warmth for the married Vicki grows, Will comes to realize that life can't always be summed up in a catchphrase. My Thoughts: "The film was OK. The story is one we've seen before. I didn't like the camera work at all. There was too many very close, close ups. I also didn't like how half of the faces were sometimes on the screen or not at all. Besides that, I did find CJ's story the most interesting. I thought Rachel Kitson portrayed her character CJ very honestly. Her story in the film is quite heart breaking. Not everyone is going to like the outcome of her story. Will is trying to grieve a father he really didn't know because he was brought up to hate him by his mother. The scene with them at the cemetery was pivotal for Will. He gets to confront her and she comes off a bit selfish and only worried about herself and still not owning what she did to her son. I thought Josh Hopkins did a good job in his role. Not the best indie film I have seen, but surely not the worse one either."

Cast

            Samantha Mathis as Vicki

            Josh Hopkins as Will

            Rachel Kitson as CJ

            Ian Merrill Peakes as Andy

            Mary Beth Hurt as Jeanette

            Hunter Gallagher as Chase

            Julia Yorks as Lauren

            Natasha Sattler as Roni

            Alice Schaerer as Dart Lady

            Tara Copeland as Debbie

            McKenna Kerrigan as Dart Lady

            Christopher Mann as Bartender

            MaryLee Bednarek as Dart Lady

            Josh Hunt as Pete

            Tom Cleary as Rosary Man

            Cecelia Birt as Doctor

            Maureen Torsney-Weir as Counselor

            Peter Pryor as Jeff

            Lenny Haas as Terrence

            James Mount as Craig

            Jayson Vance as Bar Guy

            David Howey as Priest

            Brea Bee as Will's Assistant

            Buck Schirner as Man at Reception

            Dominick Cicco as Pete's Dad

            Jason Silvis as Bar Guy

            Teufik Jallab
            
            Younesse Boudache
            
            Marc de Jonge
            
            Agathe De La Fontaine
            
            Said Amadis
            
See full cast