Thursday, February 4, 2010
Fox Searchlight Picks Up 'Betty Ann Waters' Starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell
Fox Searchlight has announced that they have will be distributing the Hilary Swank-starring biopic “Betty Anne Waters” in the fall.
The film, directed by Tony Goldwyn ("The Last Kiss," lots of TV stuff), is based on a true story of Waters, an unemployed single mother, whose brother (Sam Rockwell) was convicted of both robbery and murder in 1983. Waters then went on to pursue a law degree for ten years and eventually proved her brother’s innocence thanks to DNA evidence. The cast is rounded out by Melissa Leo, Juliette Lewis, Clea DuVall, Minnie Driver, Bailee Madison & Peter Gallagher.
We’re surprised that Fox Searchlight would pick up another Swank film so soon after the box office and critical bomb of “Amelia,” last fall in addition to Goldwyn’s spotty track record as a director. Given the fall release date, we suspect Fox Searchlight is hoping for awards season contender, but considering the subject matter and those involved, the film could easily end up falling into Hollywood biopic schmaltz territory.
SOURCE
