It’s been a difficult road for Spencer Susser‘s “Hesher.” The film, which stars Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rainn Wilson, seemed custom built to be an indie hit. It debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival to mixed reviews, was bought up days later by Newmarket Films, and has languished for over a year without hitting theaters because of what appears to be internal politics. Newmarket chief Chris Ball left the company to form his own shingle, and there are now plans for the release to be a joint venture between Newmarket and Ball’s Wrekin Hill Entertainment. It should hit later this spring.
And now a trailer for “Hesher” has landed, giving us our first real glimpse at the film and we have to say, we’re definitely intrigued. The film centers on a teenager (newcomer Devin Brochu) and his father (Wilson) who are forced to move in with the boy’s grandmother (Piper Laurie) after the sudden and tragic death of their mother/wife. A young man with a troubled past named Hesher (Gordon-Levitt) assumes the role as both mentor and tormentor, while a young grocery clerk (Portman) steps in to protect the teenager, and becomes the object of his fantasies. Wilson surprises in a straight dramatic turn, while Gordon-Levitt doesn’t disappoint as the titular anarchist. There is a gritty feel that we’re definitely digging and Brochu certainly looks to be standing his ground among the more seasoned thesps around him.
“Hesher” will hit SXSW next month. Check out the trailer below. [via NataliePortman]
