Following rumors that floated earlier this month, Roadside Attractions have officially announced that they have partnered with Liddell Entertainment and acquired the U.S. rights to Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Biutiful” starring Javier Bardem.
Iñárritu’s first film without longtime collaborator Guillermo Arriaga earned mixed reviews on the Croisette, where we described it as an “impeccably acted, wonderfully shot and assuredly put together” film that was, conversely, a two hour and twenty minute “slog.” Harrowing and depressing as hell, it has understandably struggled to find a distribution deal stateside. Until now.
The film is being penciled in for a December release for hopeful Oscar consideration. Despite the uneven quality of the picture, Bardem’s performance is fantastic, and will definitely earn some attention. The film will unspool next month in advance of its December release at the Toronto International Film Festival.