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Late Fame

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for Late Fame Now Playing 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 85 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Ed Saxberger, a forgotten New York poet, works in the post office. After an eager and flattering young admirer appears on his doorstep, Saxberger is beckoned into a coterie of twentysomething admirers who anoint him as a rediscovered genius. Intoxicated by the attention -- and by the alluring presence of Gloria, the group's "tragic heroine" -- Saxberger gradually reckons with the authenticity of his newfound poetic circle. This thoughtful, witty film is a wistful yet unromantic look at a lost idea of downtown New York.
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Late Fame

Late Fame

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Critics Consensus

A gentle rumination on art and authenticity, Late Fame's wistful narrative is made lively by Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee's wonderfully complementary performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Linda Marric HeyUGuys 2h
5/5
Modest, precise, and emotionally resonant, Late Fame never overplays its hand. It is funny, a little heartbreaking, and confident enough to say something real without shouting. Go to Full Review
Jessica Kiang Sight & Sound 17h
The film, for a time, becomes an insightful two-hander between this older man hesitating on the doorstep of his second chance and this not-quite-young-any-more woman running on the fumes of her first. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 20h
4/5
There’s a marvellous tenderness and generosity to this elegant tale of autumnal regret; an intimate movie acted with effortless grace by Willem Dafoe. Go to Full Review
Jordan Bassett NME (New Musical Express) 2h
3/5
Late Fame makes vague gestures towards anti-nostalgia but doesn’t quite land the blow – the result is oddly inconclusive and unsatisfying Go to Full Review
Brett Arnold At the Movies Again 1d
It reminds me of some of my favorite movies like "Inside Llewyn Davis" and "Paterson" Go to Full Review
Carmen Paddock The Skinny 2d
4/5
Willem Dafoe is a winning everyman, and Greta Lee’s performance – her best to date – maximises archness and sincerity. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Roy J 3d Another great Dafoe performance. Worth checking out on criticism about the art culture. See more Evan C @RT74783562 Aug 27 The satire in Late Fame wouldn't work nearly as well if it wasn't for Willem Dafoe's wonderfully warm performance coupled with Greta Lee's zany but layered counterpoint. Because man some of those art students are beyond annoying and need a little punch in the face. See more peter Z @RT59105073 Aug 26 an old poet who apparently has one published work, and has since (37 years) worked at the post office becomes a mascot of a group of young wealthy intellectual posers. the nepo babie characters are as expected as well as the poets circle of blue coller friends. a lot of overlapping stereotypes plus a middle aged actress who briefly crosses his path. might have been more interesting if some of his working class friends were truly intellectual or if the any of the rich kids were real people. well produced shallow film, could have been a 20 minute short. See more danelectro T @danelectro Aug 25 Willem Dafoe is always brilliant. Greta Lee was a wonderful surprise in a very strong role. What an intelligent film. We are left with questions: Was the lauded poet ever good? Is the poem he finally reads to us inspiring or dull? Are the members of the art collective in love with art or with the status that being an artist confers? Was the poet played by Dafoe exploited callously, or did we also witness his own desire to find fame? Is celebrity related in any way to artistic achievement? The Dafoe character seems to live with more dignity and honesty than the rich collective members in love with nostalgia. Despite the hypocrisy of the young pretenders, the film nonetheless manages to invite us to rediscover great literature and to focus on the things in life that really matter and which have been trivialized and are being forgotten by modern technology. And Kent Jones the director has clearly illustrated how great art can be when you put your heart to it, in this very movie! See more Read all reviews
Late Fame

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ed Saxberger, a forgotten New York poet, works in the post office. After an eager and flattering young admirer appears on his doorstep, Saxberger is beckoned into a coterie of twentysomething admirers who anoint him as a rediscovered genius. Intoxicated by the attention -- and by the alluring presence of Gloria, the group's "tragic heroine" -- Saxberger gradually reckons with the authenticity of his newfound poetic circle. This thoughtful, witty film is a wistful yet unromantic look at a lost idea of downtown New York.
Director
Kent Jones
Producer
Pamela Koffler, Mason Plotts, Christine Vachon, Danny Roberts, H.S. Naji, Jackie Langelier, Taylor Shung, Ethan Lazar
Screenwriter
Samy Burch
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$293.2K
Runtime
1h 36m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.66:1)
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