“Eric LaRue,” starring Judy Greer, is a sobering film that was directed by Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, in his directorial debut.
Aside from Greer, it stars Alexander Skarsgård, Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, and Paul Sparks.
The movie just had its world premiere on June 10th at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
This emotional roller coaster follows Greer and Skarsgård as parents dealing with fallout after their son shoots and kills three of his high school classmates.
Janice (Judy Greer) moves through life as if in a haze, unable to let go of her anger and frustration. While her husband Ron (played by Alexander Skarsgård) has found refuge at a new church.
Janice finds it hard to seek solace in her faith despite her pastor’s pleas to heal her wounds by meeting with the mothers of her son’s victims. As Janice ponders what that meeting could achieve for her and her community, “Eric LaRue” asks audiences to witness the emotional ripples that violent acts can engender.
Strong cast performances led by Judy Greer as the devastated mother give the film its beating heart. There is a rawness, sincerity, and vulnerability to “Eric LaRue,” as it tackles such subject matters as atonement and spiritual redemption.
Screenwriter Brett Neveu (who adapted it from his 2002 play) deserves to be commended for writing such an angry and unflinching script that will certainly chill audiences to the bone.
The acting performances all around are extraordinary. The same holds true for Michael Shannon and his exceptional direction; hopefully, this is a harbinger that he will start directing more projects in the future.
