By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Coral Gables Art Cinema will host a one-night-only screening on Wednesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. of Rebel With a Clause, a 2025 documentary that proves grammar can bring people together — and even make them laugh. The film coincides with National Punctuation Day, an annual celebration of the commas, colons, and question marks that shape our sentences, and serves as an ideal backdrop for this warm, whimsical look at language in American life.
At the center of the film is Ellen Jovin, a linguist, author, and grammar evangelist who, in a burst of inspiration, set up a folding table on a Manhattan sidewalk with a homemade sign that read “Grammar Table.” To her surprise, a steady stream of passersby began stopping — not just to ask grammar questions, but to share stories, argue rules, and vent frustrations about exclamation point overuse.
Jovin’s impromptu public service became an ongoing mission. Alongside her filmmaker husband, Brandt Johnson, she took the Grammar Table on a nationwide road trip, visiting all 50 states while Johnson documented their encounters. What emerged is a film that transcends punctuation and reveals something more profound: a shared curiosity about how we communicate — and why it matters.
Dialogue-driven road trip
Rebel With a Clause blends classic documentary storytelling with the structure of a road movie. Each stop on the couple’s journey offers a glimpse into regional quirks, community dynamics, and personal histories. Some people stop for grammar debates (“Is it ‘who’ or ‘whom’?”), others to question punctuation in religious texts or street signs. Jovin answers each with calm clarity and infectious enthusiasm.
But more than technical grammar advice, the film captures public dialogue — spontaneous conversations that span generations, professions, and ideologies. At a time when civil discourse feels endangered, Rebel With a Clause offers a surprising remedy: start by talking about the Oxford comma.
“Right away, passersby began excitedly asking questions, telling stories, and filing complaints,” reads the film’s synopsis. “But this story transcends grammar. It’s the story of an epic quest in a divided time to bring us all closer together.”
From niche to national
Though the subject may seem niche, the response has been enthusiastic. The New York Times wrote, “Grammar fans flock to a film about participles and gerunds,” noting the film’s unexpectedly wide appeal. Audiences have praised its wit, inclusiveness, and unassuming charm.
At 86 minutes, the film keeps a brisk pace, hopping from city sidewalks to rural town centers, often drawing small crowds curious about Jovin’s folding table and large stack of reference books. Her approach is always accessible — more neighbor than grammarian — and Johnson’s lens captures the joy of unscripted human interaction.
One night only
The September 24 screening is part of the Gables Cinema’s Special Presentations series — a curated lineup of limited-run films designed to spark conversation and showcase independent voices. With only one local showing currently scheduled, this event is likely to draw a mix of educators, writers, and cinephiles looking for something smart and unexpected.
The film is unrated, presented in English, and shown in DCP format.
Tickets are available now through the Coral Gables Art Cinema website under the Special Presentations tab. Viewers are encouraged to arrive early, as the film is expected to draw a crowd in honor of National Punctuation Day.
Whether you’re a longtime grammar nerd, a curious student, or someone who simply enjoys a well-placed em dash, Rebel With a Clause offers a charming, thought-provoking experience. It’s a reminder that even the smallest marks — a period, a comma, a question — can open the door to larger conversations.
