John was able to catch a screening of What Doesn’t Kill You, starring Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke, at TIFF and said: “If I had not already seen Gone Baby Gone, The Departed, [and] Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead I would have really liked this small time criminal drama. Unfortunately I have so this really felt like I’ve been there done that before.”
Still, I’m fairly pumped for this film, especially since the small-time studio that is distributing it is making a push for Ruffalo getting a Best Actor nod and Hawke getting a Supporting Actor nod. In the Hollywood Reporter’s review they said this of the film:
“We’ve all seen this film before – two hoodlum friends from the tough, violent streets of South Boston trying to cope with the lure of easy money and the offsetting threat of jail time – but we’ve never seen it this well done. With Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke registering personal bests in the performance category as well as playing magnificently and ultraconvincingly off each other, “What Doesn’t Kill You,” a true story that is powerful and completely riveting from beginning to end, clearly is one of the best films at Toronto this year.”
It is written and directed by Brian Goodman, an actor and ex-convict whose life this is based on, so it is bound to be a very personal film. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. It hits limited release on December 12.
The trailer for this isn’t impressive but I do like Ruffalo and over the years Hawke has made it onto my list of must watch everything regardless of how bad it looks. Still unconvinced at seeing it in theaters but definitely curious.
I disagree, Marina. The trailer evokes some emotion, particularly with the interactions between Ruffalo and Peet and Ruffalo and his son. While it isn’t an awe-inspiring trailer, I do think it does the film justice.
As of now, this is on my must-see list. Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke are tremendous actors, and the element created by Goodman himself seems quite intriguing.
I saw the trailer again to see if I get anything more from it but nothing – it’s really flat for me. That said, it is Ruffalo and Hawke so I’ll be making some time for it.