‘What They Had’ Trailer: Hilary Swank And Michael Shannon Are A Family In Crisis
What They Hadlooks like a film designed to make you weep, and there’s nothing wrong with that.Hilary SwankandMichael Shannonstar in the drama about a family struggling to deal with their matriarch’s Alzheimer’s disease. Watch theWhat They Hadtrailer below, and then go have yourself a good cry.
What They Had Trailer
I don’t quite know what to make of this trailer. The film is a drama about a family coming to terms with their mother’s Alzheimer’s, but it appears to be treating the disease as…kind of comedic? There’s nothing wrong with finding humor in tragedy – it’s a great coping mechanism. But the tone here feels a bit wonky. Perhaps the most surprising thing here, though, is the presence of Michel Shannon. Shannon, a phenomenal actor, has spent the last few years playing such intense, scary weirdos that it’s a little jarring to see him playing a normal, working-class guy. I’m sure he’ll turn in a great performance, though. He always does.
Here’s theWhat They Hadsynopsis.
From first-time writer/directorElizabeth Chomko, WHAT THEY HAD centers on a family in crisis. Bridget (Hilary Swank) returns home to Chicago at her brother’s (Michael Shannon) urging to deal with her ailing mother (Blythe Danner) and her father’s (Robert Forster) reluctance to let go of their life together.
I’m ready for the Hilary Swank comeback (not that she ever went away, she just hasn’t been very prominent in recent years). AndRobert Forster andBlythe Dannerare both aces in my book. So maybe this will turn out well. The film already screened at Sundance, and will also screen at TIFF. There are only a handful reviews out of Sundance, but they’re all positive. Vulture’s reviewstates: “There’s raw power in Chomko’s writing, but so much scrupulousness and craft that you feel safe when the time comes to weep.” The Hollywood Reportersays: “A deluxe ensemble cast and a judicious trickle of minor-key humor elevate debuting writer-director Elizabeth Chomko’s intergenerational family drama,What They Had.” And Varietyadds: “This satisfying drama provides excellent roles for a fine cast, particularly Michael Shannon, Hilary Swank and Robert Forster.”
That all sounds pretty good. Still, this trailer isn’t quite doing it for me. Perhaps the final film will yield better results.
What They Had, starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Robert Forster,Taissa Farmiga, withJosh LucasandBlythe Danner, opensOctober 12, 2018.
