An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 1 nomination
- Jackson
- (as Michael K. Williams)
- Big George
- (as Che Rhymefest Smith)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIronically, the movie's release occurred when the real Cincinnati Public Library was being taken over by activists who were demanding the leadership not sell one of the downtown buildings.
- GoofsIn 'Artic' cold weather you should see everyone outside breath when they speak. No one was even shivering.
- Quotes
Myra: You know, literally our biggest struggle here is knowing which side of right we're walking on, so... I mean, I wish all these problems could be solved by a community bake sale, but they can't. I do go home sometimes and just cry myself to sleep, because... well, we're only human, right? But not tonight. Because tonight is 'make dinner for my mama' night.
It's Estevez' sixth movie as director, and his first film appearance in eight years, and it's simultaneously hopeful, depressing and inspiring, with Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH frequently referenced. It's also a fine piece of film making, with something to say about many of the subjects that concern people who still like to think with head and feel with their hearts: the purpose and survival of libraries, the mental health crisis, the inability and unwillingness of society to deal with its issues. Estevez's performance is low-key, and affecting, letting the situation and his despair leak into the audience. Other fine performances include Gabrielle Union as a TV news reporter looking for an easily understood narrative, Geoffrey Wright as Estevez' sympathetic and beleaguered boss, and Rhymefest as one of the mentally ill homeless.
- boblipton
- Sep 25, 2021
- How long is The Public?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- La biblioteca
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $573,503
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $259,455
- Apr 7, 2019
- Gross worldwide
- $644,740
- Runtime1 hour 59 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1