If you’ve been following the site here for the last few years, you know we’re big fans of Annapurna Pictures. While they haven’t been around for too too long, they’re easily becoming one of the top distributors out there. Case in point, they recently picked up the film The Sisters Brothers. A Wild West film from Jacques Audiard (A Prophet) is intruiging enough, but one that seems to call to mind the works of the Cohen Bros. Toss in Jake Gyllenhaal & Riz Ahmed and you’re nearing a great time.
Oh, did we forget to mention that the roles Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly are playing the parts of the titular brothers? Because that’s what moves this into the category of “future classics”.
The trailer dropped yesterday and gives an idea to how brilliant this may all end up. Take a look.
As always, if for some reason you can’t view the trailer at work, here’s the official synopsis, to tide you over:
“Based on Patrick Dewitt’s acclaimed novel of the same name, follows two brothers – Eli and Charlie Sisters – who are hired to kill a prospector who has stolen from their boss. The story, a genre-hybrid with comedic elements, takes place in Oregon in 1851.”
I’ll admit that the kind of humor contained in that trailer may not be for every, but I’m totally sold. Also, I’m fairly certain this will be a rather bloody affair. Unseen in the trailer, but nonetheless important supporting roles in the film are filled by Ruter Hauer, Carol Kane and Creed Braton. It’s a little hard to picture Creed as anything other than Creed, so that’s the most interesting inclusion here.
Doing a cursory glance at information about the book, it will most likely play straddle the line of a straight Western, that also pokes fun at the genre. That’s a difficult tone to get right. One that many have attempted and failed to nail. Given the talent involved, they seem up to the task.
The Sisters Brothers doesn’t currently have a release date, other than “fall”, but Annapurna Pictures will probably set it up to make a run during awards season. This has “best screenplay adaptation” nominations written all over it. Either way, we here at BH will have our butts in seats whenever this does come out. What do you all think? Does this get your excitement level going or do you think revisionist westerns are all played out? Be sure to let us know below.
