A Short History of Decay

R

2013

1h 33m

Comedy

List

67%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

A failed writer (Bryan Greenberg) discovers unexpected beauty and richness in the marriage of his ailing parents (Linda Lavin, Harris Yulin) after he moves to Florida to take care of them.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 16

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent A Short History of Decay on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Audience Member

Shelly's character was the only one in gainful employment. The rest of the characters had bland back stories. Overall however, the story was cogent and spoke clearly about several human themes. Not any kind of comedy, it offered some understated moments of light humor. Nathan, the focus, had to work out the kind of woman that is good for him - something his folks knew all along. A film with real humility. Nice ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really liked this movie,it felt honest and simple.the ending was a little abrupt,but I think the director knew deep down the audience could figure it out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

gr8 cast good com-dram

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie was a sweet story with a perfect ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Michael Maren's directorial debut may not be the most original of movies, but it does manage to avoid most of the normal cliches one would expect to find in a story like this. Linda Lavin is especially good in her role.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's not bad, it's just rather clichéd, when it comes to the hipster-verse it tries to explore through the ordinary. Good effort for an an indie movie though.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Michael Maren

Director

Bryan Greenberg

Nathan

Linda Lavin

Sandy

Harris Yulin

Bob

Emmanuelle Chriqui

Erika

Benjamin King

Jack

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Emmanuelle Chriqui’s Five Favorite Films

New on DVD & Blu-Ray: Non-Stop, Jack Ryan, and True Detective

Critics Consensus: Godzilla is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Frank Scheck

Hollywood Reporter

Although more than a little meandering and self-indulgent, the film is likeable nonetheless due to its incisive characterizations and canny capturing of true-life moments.

Jun 5, 2014

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

New York Times

While these loose ends might sound like scrambled bits out of an Eric Rohmer film, Mr. Maren's movie rather finds its groove in its humble domestic detail.

May 15, 2014

Full Review

David Ehrlich

The Dissolve

[The] film desperately tries to mine sweetness from the banality of life's endgame, but the falseness of its bittersweet storytelling only accentuates the misery.

Rated: 0.5/5

May 15, 2014

Full Review

Zach Hollwedel

Under the Radar

There is nothing to inherently dislike in A Short History of Decay, but neither is there anything to love.

Rated: 3/10

Aug 5, 2014

Full Review

David Noh

Film Journal International

Writer-director Michael Maren takes on a subject that is affecting baby-boomers all over the world...and he does so with a certain necessary seriousness and sensitivity. The problem here is that his film is neither very deep nor particularly moving.

May 19, 2014

Full Review

Christine N. Ziemba

Paste Magazine

The film flourishes when it moves away from a coming-of-age story to a more family ensemble piece.

Rated: 7.3/10

May 14, 2014

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

A failed writer (Bryan Greenberg) discovers unexpected beauty and richness in the marriage of his ailing parents (Linda Lavin, Harris Yulin) after he moves to Florida to take care of them.

Director: Michael Maren
Producer: Milos Forman
Screenwriter: Michael Maren
Production Co: Big Fan Films, Short History
Rating: R (Language|Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2014
Runtime: 1h 33m

Most Popular at Home Now