Eric Larue

Eric Larue
Directed byMichael Shannon
Screenplay byBrett Neveu
Based onEric Larue
by Brett Neveu
Produced by
Starring
Production
companies
  • Big Cove Productions
  • Big Indie Pictures
  • CaliWood Pictures
Release date
  • June 10, 2023 (2023-06-10) (Tribeca)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Eric Larue is a 2023 American drama film directed by Michael Shannon in his directorial debut. It was written by Brett Neveu and based on his 2002 play of the same name.

Synopsis

Janice, the mother of a high school murderer prepares to visit her son in prison, and prepares to meet a collection of bereaved local parents.

Cast

  • Judy Greer as Janice LaRue
  • Paul Sparks as Steve Calhan, a Presbyterian pastor
  • Alison Pill as Lisa, a Human Resources manager close with Ron
  • Tracy Letts as Bill Verne, motivational preacher
  • Annie Parisse as Stephanie, a grieving mother
  • Kate Arrington as Jill, a grieving mother
  • Alexander Skarsgård as Ron LaRue, Janice's husband
  • Nation Sage Henrikson as Eric LaRue, Janice's son and school shooter
  • Lawrence Grimm as Jack, Janice's boss.

Production

The play Eric Larue by Brett Neveu debuted in 2002 in Chicago at the A Red Orchid Theatre, whose founding members include Michael Shannon. Neveu wrote the play in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Shannon was directing a different Neveu play when the a mass shooting occurred at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February 2018, and a decision was made for Neveu to adapt his play Eric Larue for the screen. Shannon was announced as the director in July 2022. Shannon was quoted as saying "Eric Larue plays at the macro and a micro level simultaneously. When I read the screenplay, I immediately knew I had to direct it. I saw it. I heard it. I could feel it. And I wanted to make sure that it received just the right touch in all its aspects, because at the end of the day, it is an extraordinarily delicate thing." Executive production by Jeff Nichols and production by Sarah Green from Brace Cove Productions marks the seventh time they have worked together.[citation needed]

Production is also completed by Karl Hartman from Big Indie Pictures and Jina Panebianco from CaliWood Pictures, with executive producers also on board being R. Wesley Sierk III, Byron Wetzel, Meghan Schumacher, Joh D. Straley and Declan Baldwin.[1]

Casting

In July 2022, Judy Greer, Paul Sparks, Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, Annie Parisse, Kate Arrington and Alexander Skarsgård were announced as the cast.[2]

Filming

Filming was scheduled for August 8, 2022 to September 5, 2022 in Little Rock, Arkansas.[3] However, citing an Arkansas state law which banned nearly all abortions in the state, including cases of rape and incest, it was announced that the production had withdrawn from the state and would instead be filming in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.[4][5] Filming locations in Wilmington in August 2022 were thought to include Elderhaus, St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church and New River Pottery, amongst others.[6] Filming was wrapped before the middle of September 2022.[7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival on June 10, 2023.[8]

Reception

The performances of the ensemble cast, and in particular Judy Greer playing against type, received praise by Lex Briscuso for TheWrap,[9] David Rooney for the Hollywood Reporter,[10] and Pete Hammond for Deadline Hollywood.[8]

References

  1. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 5, 2022). "Michael Shannon To Make Directorial Debut On Adaptation Of Brett Neveu's Play 'Eric Larue'". Deadline Hollywood.
  2. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 28, 2022). "Michael Shannon Sets Ensemble For Directorial Debut 'Eric Larue'". Deadline Hollywood.
  3. ^ "Eric Larue". Film & Television Industry Alliance. July 4, 2022. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023.
  4. ^ Gilblom, Kelly (July 27, 2022). "Hollywood Pours Billions Into Anti-Abortion States It Condemns". Time. Bloomberg News.
  5. ^ Sparkman, Worth (July 8, 2022). "Film project skips town after Roe ruling". Axios.
  6. ^ "Michael Shannon's 'Eric Larue' to film in Wilmington". WECT.
  7. ^ Staton, John (September 13, 2022). "Wilmington film update: When to see locally made projects set to drop in the coming months". Star-News.
  8. ^ a b Hammond, Pete (June 10, 2023). "'Eric Larue' Review: Michael Shannon's Powerful Directorial Debut With Superb Performances From Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgard – Tribeca Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Briscuso, Lex (June 10, 2023). "'Eric Larue' Review: Judy Greer Is Stunning in Michael Shannon's Directorial Debut". The Wrap. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Rooney, David (June 10, 2023). "Eric LaRue' Review: Judy Greer Is Superb as the Shattered Mother of a School Shooter in Michael Shannon's Directing Debut". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2023.