Preview: Margaret (2011)

Synopsis:

Having witnessed a traumatic accident, a young girl lies to protect the bus driver who had been distracted by her attempts to gain passage on the bus and thereby caused the death of a mother and child.

• Poster: C-

Review:

If there is a deeper, more complex idea behind this poster, I'm not seeing it. To me it's just an attempt to seem artistic without being such. Blurring Anna Paquin's image is a poor choice for a film that may need all the help it can get in selling itself.

• Trailer: B

Review:

Kenneth Lonergan does wonders with prominent ensemble casts before (You Can Count on Me), so this could be a surprise hit with the film loving crowd. The trailer does give the impression that we'll have some talented thesps giving terrific performances, so we'll see how far this can last releasging as it is in late September.

Oscar Prospects:

This is Lonergan's first directorial effort in 11 years. The last time out, his film earned two Oscar nominations: Lead Actress (Laura Linney) and Original Screenplay. I see Original Screenplay as a strong possibility, but acting a bit more touchy. It's shaping up to be a strong year, but Anna Paquin could do it, but we could also see Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo and Rosemarie DeWitt in contention.

Release Date:

• September 30, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (September 4, 2011) Original