Paint (2023 film)

Paint is a 2023 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Brit McAdams. The film stars Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, Ciara Renée, Stephen Root, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lucy Freyer, Lusia Strus, and Michael Pemberton.

Paint was released in the United States on April 7, 2023, by IFC Films.

Plot
Carl Nargle has hosted Vermont's number one painting show for nearly three decades. His status as a superstar of public broadcasting is challenged when the struggling TV station hires Ambrosia, a younger painter who has more skill and versatility than Carl.

His timeslot is quickly taken over by her and so is his ability to seduce his co-workers. The station manager decides to fire Carl after an embarrassing fundraiser and gets him a job teaching painting classes at a nearby college, but he is too depressed to teach. The true love of his life, Katherine, comes to his aid when realizing that she has wasted her life waiting for his approval and Carl decides that he has been a foolish and vain playboy. The two confess their love to one another as Carl's barn accidentally burns down, leaving the town to believe that he is dead, when in reality, he is living a simple life with Katherine.

Cast

 * Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, a fictional character based on Bob Ross
 * Michaela Watkins as Katherine
 * Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wendy
 * Ciara Renée as Ambrosia
 * Lucy Freyer as Jenna
 * Lusia Strus as Beverly
 * Stephen Root as Tony
 * Michael Pemberton as Dr. Bradford Lenihan
 * Denny Dillon as PBS host
 * Evander Duck Jr. as Reuban
 * Ryan Czerwonko as young bar regular

Production
The film took 13 years to make. In 2010, the screenplay Paint, written by Brit McAdams, was featured on the Black List of that year's most-liked unproduced screenplays. On April 16, 2021, it was announced that Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ciara Renée, Lusia Strus, and Stephen Root had signed on to star in the film, which McAdams would also direct. In May 2021, it was announced that Lucy Freyer would also star.

Principal photography took place from April 2021 to June 2021 in Albany, New York.

Release
Paint was originally set to be released by IFC Films on April 28, 2023, but was moved to April 7, 2023. The film will stream exclusively on AMC+ in the United States later in 2023.

The film was released digitally on May 9, with a Blu-ray and DVD release to follow on July 25.

Box office
Paint made $293,000 from 819 theaters on its first day, and a total of $570,512 in its opening weekend, finishing in ninth.

Critical response
Audiences surveyed by PostTrak gave it an 83% positive score, with 33% saying they would definitely recommend it.