Many Breaking Bad fans have wondered what next for Aaron Paul, since he’s already wrapped filming the final season and he’s only in his early-30s. Sure, Bryan Cranston can quit acting today and between Malcolm’s dad and, more importantly, Walt/Heisenberg, he’ll be going down as a legend. But Aaron’s just plenty of career ahead of him and we’re wondering whether that’s going to be on another television show or in films (or, hey, maybe both). Since Breaking Bad itself is quite cinematic, I figured the transition from TV actor to movie actor would be relatively natural for him.
Thus comes Smashed, a quirky indie drama about a drug and booze loving couple hoping to get clean in a world that doesn’t make it easy for people to get clean. Reviews were favorable out of Sundance, particularly for both Paul and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, with the movie itself garnering decent reviews. With a supporting cast including Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, and Mark Kay Place, one can hope that this both helps ignite Paul’s movie career and maybe wins he and Winstead an award or two.
Check out the rather light-spirited trailer below.
I am seeing this tomorrow at TIFF, hoping it is good.
Keep us posted! I’m more curious about the performances than the film even really.
I saw Smashed this evening at TIFF and it’s actually a quite short and to the point film. I was personally more impressed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s performance than Aaron Paul’s.
Solid 4 star film that does not overstay its welcome, nestles into the fertile drama of alcoholism and gets out, with Mary Elizabeth Winstead giving one helluva performance as the on again, off again inebriated Kindergarten teacher. Aaron Paul is her husband and has a decent amount to do in the film and he is there for Winstead to play off of. Both are great, just Winstead has the showier part. I like especially how they skip over the withdrawal, which some may complain makes it seem all too easy, but in these kinds of films I have seen enough of that base aspect of the addiction. This is more about how it fucks up your relationships, a far more interesting story to tell.
4/5
Sounds great. I’m really looking forward to it.