Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 29, 2017 17:42:10 GMT -6
variety.com/2017/film/news/sundance-amazon-buys-prison-drama-crown-heights-exclusive-1201971644/
Sundance: Amazon Buys Prison Drama ‘Crown Heights’
Amazon Studios has picked up world rights to the Sundance prison drama “Crown Heights” for $2 million-plus, Variety has learned.
The movie, which premiered to strong reviews on Monday as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition, stars Lakeith Stanfield (“Short Term 12”) as a real-life Brooklyn man wrongfully convicted of murder. His only hope at freedom is his friend (played by former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha), who fights for more than 20 years to reverse the verdict.
It’s no small feat to make a romantic comedy that refuses to telegraph where it’s going, and this enchanting and hilarious autobiographical love story, co-written by its star, Kumail Nanjiani, and directed by Michael Showalter, keeps throwing you the most believable of curveballs. In its clever and light-handed way, it’s as much of a journey as "Before Sunrise" or "Jerry Maguire." Nanjiani plays Kumail, an Uber driver and Pakistani-American nightclub comic who meets Emily (a blisteringly feisty Zoe Kazan) and falls for her, but insists on compartmentalizing their relationship so that he won’t be disowned by his conservative parents (who demand that he marry a Pakistani girl). Then life starts to make other plans. By staying true to himself, Nanjiani creates a highly winning and relevant character: the soulful tart-tongued Muslim mensch next door. And Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, as Emily's parents, have an indelibly cranky chemistry. Showalter's direction keeps the whole thing flowing and human-size; he has become the sort of honest crowd-pleaser the indie world needs more of. -- Owen Gleiberman
Matt Ruskin directed and wrote the film, which was shot in New York. Ruskin, Asomugha, and Natalie Galazka produced the pic, which will receive a theatrical release.
“Crown Heights” is the fifth title Amazon has acquired out of Sundance, after “The Big Sick” (a romantic comedy that sold for $12 million), the 90s comedy “Landline,” and the documentaries “Long Strange Trip” and “City of Ghosts.”
CAA handled the deal.
Sundance: Amazon Buys Prison Drama ‘Crown Heights’
Amazon Studios has picked up world rights to the Sundance prison drama “Crown Heights” for $2 million-plus, Variety has learned.
The movie, which premiered to strong reviews on Monday as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition, stars Lakeith Stanfield (“Short Term 12”) as a real-life Brooklyn man wrongfully convicted of murder. His only hope at freedom is his friend (played by former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha), who fights for more than 20 years to reverse the verdict.
It’s no small feat to make a romantic comedy that refuses to telegraph where it’s going, and this enchanting and hilarious autobiographical love story, co-written by its star, Kumail Nanjiani, and directed by Michael Showalter, keeps throwing you the most believable of curveballs. In its clever and light-handed way, it’s as much of a journey as "Before Sunrise" or "Jerry Maguire." Nanjiani plays Kumail, an Uber driver and Pakistani-American nightclub comic who meets Emily (a blisteringly feisty Zoe Kazan) and falls for her, but insists on compartmentalizing their relationship so that he won’t be disowned by his conservative parents (who demand that he marry a Pakistani girl). Then life starts to make other plans. By staying true to himself, Nanjiani creates a highly winning and relevant character: the soulful tart-tongued Muslim mensch next door. And Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, as Emily's parents, have an indelibly cranky chemistry. Showalter's direction keeps the whole thing flowing and human-size; he has become the sort of honest crowd-pleaser the indie world needs more of. -- Owen Gleiberman
Matt Ruskin directed and wrote the film, which was shot in New York. Ruskin, Asomugha, and Natalie Galazka produced the pic, which will receive a theatrical release.
“Crown Heights” is the fifth title Amazon has acquired out of Sundance, after “The Big Sick” (a romantic comedy that sold for $12 million), the 90s comedy “Landline,” and the documentaries “Long Strange Trip” and “City of Ghosts.”
CAA handled the deal.