With the Sundance Film Festival long back in the rearview mirror, now it’s time to actually release those acclaimed films into the wild, to the public, including a remake of the 2006 Susanne Bier’s film “After the Wedding.”
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Like the original of the same name, the 2019 film will follow the life of a social worker traveling home to negotiate a grant for an orphanage in Calcutta from a wealthy benefactor. Originally, the social worker was played by Mads Mikkelson (who has since hit it big in America with the TV series “Hannibal” and his role in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story“) and Rolf Lassgård the benefactor. However, with Bart Freundlich writing (and directing), the social worker and wealthy benefactor will be played by Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore, respectively. Notice the difference?
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In changing the genders, Freundlich adapts the story to fit the time; even if very little changes are made, the story provided will be a captivating tale of feminism, strong women, and commitment. Sundance declares “Freundlich has crafted an absorbing cinematic tale of secrets and intersecting lives…Both Williams and Moore give incredible performances and command the screen, adding nuance and depth to every scene they’re in.”
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“After the Wedding” tells the tale of Isabel flying to New York to meet with the multimillionaire Theresa, who invites the newcomer to her daughter’s wedding. In hoping to obtain the grant, Isabel agrees, but upon meeting Theresa’s husband (Billy Crudup) and daughter (Abby Quinn) she realizes that there is more to this trip than she thought. And who better to play the two powerful women leads that Moore and Williams?
Williams first gained public recognition for her lead role in the tv series “Dawson’s Creek,” and soon after was nominated for her first Oscar with her minor role in 2006’s “Brokeback Mountain.” She has since been nominated for the Academy Awards three more times but never won. Still, both her indie and big-budget movies have made her a household name; the same with Julianne Moore. She has been performing in blockbusters since the ea90s and won the Academy Award for Best Actress with “Still Alice,” as well as the Cannes Festival’s Best Actress for “Maps to the Stars” the same year. Working together, Williams and Moore are sure to make Freundlich’s work something to remember.
“After The Wedding” opens on August 9 in NY and LA via Sony Picture Classics.