IFC Films has announced that they’ve picked up the rights to Rowan Joffe’s feature debut “Brighton Rock” for distribution in the US. Joffe, known for writing films such as “28 Weeks Later” and Anton Corbjin’s “The American,” penned the adaptation from Graham Greene’s 1939 novel of the same name. The film stars thespians Sam Riley and Andrea Riseborough, with supporting roles played by John Hurt and Helen Mirren.
Produced by Paul Webster (“Atonement,” “Eastern Promises”) and co-produced by Paul Ritchie (“Nowhere Boy,” “Slumdog Millionaire”), the film centers on Pinkie (Riley), a young man trying to climb up the rungs of the organized crime ladder. When Rose, a young waitress, discovers that Pinkie is part of a murder, they begin a relationship with the hopes of Pinkie convincing her to remain quiet. The president of IFC Films, Jonathan Sehring said in a statement, “‘Brighton Rock’ is a brilliant update of a noir classic that manages to be thrilling and beautiful. Sam Riley carries the film with his charismatic performance, and Andrea Riseborough and Helen Mirren round out the cast exquisitely. We look forward to getting it out to a wide audience.” We’ve heard differently.
The film debuted at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where reviews were less than favorable, indicating that it had problems with “pacing, plotting, and thematic conventions,” as well as “self- conscious…noir stylings that bristle against a clearly overworked script.” The trailer clearly demonstrates the film noir feel that Joffe was going for, but we remain dubious about the final results.
IFC will release the film into theaters this summer. –Catherine Scott [Deadline]
