Ain't Them Bodies Saints
Release Date: August 16 Oscar Prospects: So-so Outside of Fruitvale Station and Before Midnight, perhaps the most buzzed about film coming out of Sundance was Ain't Them Bodies Saints. With many lofty comparisons to the early work of Terrance Malick, the film stars the venerable Casey Affleck as an escaped Texas convict who journeys home to his wife (Rooney Mara) and young daughter, who he has never seen, only to find things have changed in his absence. The film is directed by David Lowery, who up to this point has edited a few things and directed a few very small films, but who gets a chance at some legitimate exposure with Ain't Them Bodies Saints. From reading reviews of the film and watching the trailer, Ain't Them Bodies Saints appears to be quite a lyrical film, with a lofty tableau of ethereal emotions being its main go-to tool in painting its cinematic picture. In particular though, the most talked and praised aspect of Ain't Them Bodies Saints, and the thing I am most eager to see for myself, is the film's two lead performances. Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara are two of the most promising young actors working today and they apparently showcase their immense thespian talents in the film. In all honesty though, I can't see this film as a real player in the awards season. While critics were quite effusive for their praise under the January, Utah sun, with a late August release right before the onslaught of the festival season, where a plethora of sleeker and sexier films will be commanding the film community's attention, unless this thing is an artistic phenomenon, I can't see how it doesn't get overlooked, despite whatever merits the film has. If the film's performances are as good as some have said though, that's a shame. Rooney Mara has already given one of the best performances thus far this year, in this humble writer's opinion, in Steven Soderbergh's final theatrical release, Side Effects, and Casey Affleck has been one of the most intense actors around since his performance in The Assassination of Jesse James, so here's to hoping they get some awards love in the future. Possible nominations: Best Actress (Rooney Mara), Best Actor (Casey Affleck), Best Cinematography