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Biographical documentary

Framing John DeLorean (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Framing John DeLorean (2019) movie poster

Framing John DeLorean is a 2019 biographical documentary directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, starring Alec Baldwin as John DeLorean, Dean Winters and Morena Baccarin. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $145,625 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$145.6K
Echo Score
67
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Framing John DeLorean (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Directors
Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Framing John DeLorean About?

The premise of Framing John DeLorean without spoilers.

This documentary explores the extraordinary and turbulent life of John DeLorean, the visionary executive who shook the automotive industry. From his rapid ascent within General Motors to the creation of the iconic DeLorean sports car, the film examines his triumphs and the scandals that ultimately led to his downfall. The story traces his career, revealing the complexities of a man often perceived as either a brilliant innovator or a shrewd manipulator, and culminating in his arrest on cocaine trafficking charges.

Framing John DeLorean Themes & Keywords

· 12 tags
  • con man
  • drug dealer
  • delorean
  • fraud
  • financial fraud
  • cocaine
  • businessman
  • partially reenacted
  • car
  • delorean dmc 12
  • john delorean character
  • reenactment
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Cast & crew

Framing John DeLorean Cast & Characters

Alec Baldwin leads the cast as John DeLorean, with Dean Winters as John Valestra and Morena Baccarin as Cristina Ferrare. Directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Framing John DeLorean

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce

More films directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, best-rated first: DIO: Dreamers Never Die, As the Palaces Burn, Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time and The Art of the Steal.

Ratings

Framing John DeLorean Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Framing John DeLorean 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in story & flow (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

67 /100

Framing John DeLorean Echo Score Breakdown

Framing John DeLorean presents a hybrid documentary-drama format that delivers engaging archival material alongside staged reconstructions. Critics praised its thoughtful interrogation of truth and the engrossing archival footage, while noting that dramatized narrative segments sometimes detract from the central inquiry. Viewers found the investigation into the automaker’s rise and fall informative but identified uneven pacing and unresolved questions as drawbacks. Despite these inconsistencies, the film’s meta-narrative approach and fresh archival assembly produce an overall impression of a moderately compelling yet imperfect documentary portrait.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of Art & Craft, the directors balance archival footage with staged dramatic scenes to explore John DeLorean’s narrative. The archival segments exhibit coherent assembly and measured editing, while the dramatized reconstructions introduce an artificial production design that some find distracting. Cinematography of the historical material is rendered in a fitting grayscale and framing that underscores authenticity. The juxtaposition of well-curated footage and overtly theatrical direction yields an artful yet inconsistent craft presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Alec Baldwin’s portrayal captures the physical mannerisms of John DeLorean but provides limited emotional depth. Interviews with his children deliver genuine resonance and illuminate personal facets of his life. The staged dramatic scenes, however, lack chemistry and can feel contrived alongside sincere testimonies. Overall, the character representation offers insight into his persona but falls short of a fully compelling emotional arc.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In Story & Flow, the film outlines John DeLorean’s rise and fall with a coherent chronology but leaves key questions unresolved. Pacing shifts between brisk archival segments and slower staged dramatizations, which can disrupt narrative momentum. The combination of interviews, archival evidence, and dramatized scenes lends originality but sometimes undermines engagement when transitions feel uneven. Overall, the story is informative and structurally inventive yet inconsistent in delivering a satisfying flow.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the archival footage delivers a raw visual aesthetic through grainy black-and-white clips that underscore authenticity. The sound design and musical choices are serviceable, supporting the narrative without drawing focus. Dramatic reconstructions feature more polished audio and stylized visual treatment, creating contrast with the archival elements. This juxtaposition yields an engaging sensory landscape that is at once textured and occasionally disjointed.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers moderate replay value through its meta-narrative structure and archival revelations. Repeat viewings can reveal subtleties in the assembly of interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and the framing of key legal events. However, the hybrid format and unresolved narrative threads may diminish the desire for multiple viewings. Consequently, the documentary retains a modest lasting appeal strongest for viewers invested in its subject matter.

Box office

Framing John DeLorean Box Office

Framing John DeLorean grossed $145,625 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$145.6K

US & Canada
$145.6K
Videos

Framing John DeLorean Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Framing John DeLorean.

Framing John Delorean ft. Alec Baldwin - Official Trailer I HD I Sundance Selects

Seen Framing John DeLorean?

FAQ

Framing John DeLorean FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Framing John DeLorean, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Framing John DeLorean?

Framing John DeLorean runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Framing John DeLorean released?

Framing John DeLorean was released on June 7, 2019.

Who directed Framing John DeLorean?

Framing John DeLorean was directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce.

More films by Don Argott

Who is in the cast of Framing John DeLorean?

Framing John DeLorean stars Alec Baldwin as John DeLorean, Dean Winters as John Valestra and Morena Baccarin as Cristina Ferrare, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Framing John DeLorean make at the box office?

Framing John DeLorean grossed $145,625 worldwide.

How is Framing John DeLorean rated?

Framing John DeLorean has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Framing John DeLorean have a post-credit scene?

No. Framing John DeLorean has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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