James Franco clearly doesn't believe in vacations. Hollywood's most notorious multi-hyphenate has a full slate of movies coming up, including Child of God, which he not only stars in but directs as well. It's Franco's third effort as a director; though, we forgive you if you didn't know that. His first two, Interior. Leather Bar. and As I Lay Dying weren't exactly blockbusters.
If the ultra-violent trailer for his latest directorial effort is any indication, we're guessing it won't exactly light up the box office either. Based on Cormac McCarthy's eponymous novel, Child of God stars newcomer Scott Haze as Lester Ballard, a violent outcast who's seeking revenge in 1960s Tennessee. Although the film looks somewhat more conventional than Franco's previous work, reviews out of Venice and Toronto were tepid. Other than a minor role for Franco, the cast is not exactly bold-faced, so look for Child of God to get a brief limited theatrical release at best. For Franco, however, the goal has never been to line his pockets, but to challenge himself creatively, which by all accounts he's done here. We spoke to Franco about the film last fall, and you can check out the trailer below. (First Showing)
Post by The Film Stage.
Photo: Courtesy of RabbitBandini Productions.