The fall moviegoing season is nothing short of dominated by star-driven, heavy-hitting drama, as the studios all jockey for awards season gold. But there are plenty of smaller pictures that might not have the benefit of multi-million dollar campaigns but are no less potent and worthy of investigation. And one effort to keep an eye out for on the horizon is Alan and Gabriel Polsky‘s “The Motel Life.”
Starring Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff and Dakota Fanning, and based on the novel by Willy Vlautin, the film tells the story of two brothers who flee their Reno motel after getting involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. A seemingly simple premise, but when our own Jessica Kiang saw the film last year at the Rome Film Festival, she called it a “gentle wise surprise of a film that without doubt has proven one of the most satisfying” movies she saw at the fest, praising the directors for an “assured debut.” Here’s the official synopsis.
THE MOTEL LIFE explores the intense bond between two brothers living on the fringes of Reno, Nevada. They grew up depending on each other and their big imaginations to escape the challenges of their transient life. When one of the brothers is involved in a fatal accident, it forces both of them to choose between running or facing reality. It is a story of brotherhood, shared dreams and the redemptive power of hope.
“The Motel Life” arrives in theaters and VOD on November 8th. Below, you’ll find the official trailer followed by our exclusive poster for the film.
