Two Tribeca Film Festival first-looks for you this afternoon. First up is one of two Neil LaBute films landing within the span of two months: “Some Velvet Morning,” which is debuting at Tribeca in mid-April. It stars Alice Eve (“Star Trek Into Darkness“) and Stanley Tucci, and it’s a relationship drama making its world premiere in the Narrative section.
The synopsis is below:
Fred arrives at Velvet’s doorstep, suitcases in tow. He tells her that he has finally left his wife to be with her, news to Velvet since she has not seen him in years and is now friends with Fred’s recently married son. As Fred’s hopes crash to earth during a conversation brimming with passion, remorse, humor and anger, the twisted heart of a fascinating relationship is revealed. Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve star in this spirited living room drama.
LaBute also has “Some Girl(s)” (which he wrote) premiering at the SXSW Film Festival in a couple of days.
Now, one can argue that something went south for LaBute after “The Wicker Man” remake. And some might even go so far as to say his last decent film was 2000’s “Nurse Betty” (which is actually criminally underrated and savagely good). Post-‘Wicker Man’ headscratchers included the racially-charged cop drama with Samuel L. Jackson, “Lakeview Terrace,” and the all-black-cast remake of “Death At A Funeral.” Clearly the filmmaker feels like he’s got new avenues to pursue. Whether they connect with audiences is another thing, but we’ll at least be mildly curious. Pictures of ‘Velvet’ below.
The second first-look from Tribeca is from the film “The Pretty One.” Directed and written by first-time feature-length director Jenée LaMarque, the film stars Zoe Kazan and Jake Johnson alongside Ron Livingston, John Carroll Lynch and Frances Shaw.
It’s also making its wold premiere in the Narratives section, and it’s a rather odd comedy/drama about twins and assuming identities. Here’s the synopsis:
Audrey has all of the qualities that her twin sister Laurel wishes she possessed: confidence, style, independence. When tragedy strikes, Laurel has the opportunity to reinvent herself. In a complex performance, Zoe Kazan poignantly captures Laurel’s complex mix of loss and awakening, especially as she begins a new relationship with her neighbor (Jake Johnson). Jenée LaMarque’s first feature film is a quirky, lovely tale of identity and the eternal bond between two sisters.
LaMarque directed the shorts “Spoonful” and “Happy Deathday,” which we haven’t seen, but the cast and the peculiar conceit definitely make it a film worth keeping an eye on. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 17th through 28th.
