California Typewriter

California Typewriter

The revolution will be typewritten

Directed by Doug Nichol

Produced by American Buffalo Pictures

2017103 min6.9 / 10

A warm, meditative documentary celebrating the enduring appeal of typewriters as tools of creativity and human connection in a digital age.

A story about people whose lives are connected by typewriters. A meditation on creativity and technology featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Sam Shepard, David McCullough and others.

Questions people ask

  • Is California Typewriter scary? No. Less frightening than 98% of films.

  • Is California Typewriter easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 95% of films.

  • Is California Typewriter violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Does California Typewriter end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is California Typewriter sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

54/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity58

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise39

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love65

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like California Typewriter

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as California Typewriter

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like California Typewriter, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like California Typewriter, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like California Typewriter, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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