We’re still not quite sure what to make of Gus Van Sant‘s forthcoming “Restless.” The trailer dropped last week and, well, it’s definitely Van Sant in mainstream-studio-movie mode but it also didn’t really exhibit any of the director’s traits that are in evidence even in his populist films. Anyway, we’re holding out hope that the trailer was just that — a trailer — meant to sell a quirky teen romantic comedy to get asses in the seats and that the actual film will have unique and compelling beats.
Anyhow, a fairly bland poster has arrived for the pic. Bland except for red gloves and one of many fabulous coats Mia Wasikowska seems to wear in the film. She was obviously the costume department’s dream. Anyway, “Restless” tells the story of a 16-year-old girl (Wasikowska) who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and falls in love with an off-beat boy (Henry Hopper) who likes to attend funerals and is suffering from the death of his family — which somehow produces the ghost of a young, Japanese kamikaze pilot from WW II (Ryo Kase) (for real). So ladies, that weirdo who hangs out at funerals? He might have some baggage, fyi.
This one is still a bit of a way off, hitting theaters January 25, 2011. And no, it won’t be getting any Oscar contending runs as far as we know.