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Dustin Lance Black's Drama 'Virginia' Gets a Deceptive Official Trailer

by Alex Billington
April 18, 2012
Source: Apple

E1 has debuted a trailer for Dustin Lance Black's Virginia, originally What's Wrong with Virginia?, a drama about a "psychologically disturbed woman" which played at film fests in 2010. Jennifer Connelly stars as Virginia, with Ed Harris, Emma Roberts, Harrison Gilbertson and Carrie Preston. The film was highly disliked by many critics who saw it at fests, including our friend Brad Brevet of RopeofSilicon, who goes so far as to point out: "I despised the film on most every level, but speaking about it now, and seeing this just released trailer for it, I can tell you right now they aren't selling the film for what it is. Even the opening scene shown in the trailer is a lie. In the film it doesn't play as comical as much as it is tragic."

However, we should note that the film has had a re-edit by Dustin Lance Black since premiering at TIFF in 2010, and perhaps this latest cut is more comedic, and is better than what others originally saw. Up to you.

Watch the official theatrical trailer for Dustin Lance Black's Virginia, in high def from Apple:

A sheriff sees his state senate bid slide onto the ice when his daughter begins to date the son of a charming but psychologically disturbed woman with whom the sheriff has engaged in a two-decades-long affair.

Virginia, originally titled What's Wrong with Virginia?, is directed by Oscar winning filmmaker Dustin Lance Black, who wrote the script for Milk (which got him the Oscar), and also wrote/directed The Journey of Jared Price and On the Bus, as well as the script for Eastwood's J. Edgar. This film first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival back in late 2010, but didn't play many other fests, before being picked up by eOne Films. If you're interested, Virginia arrives in limited theaters starting May 18th this summer.

Filed under Indies, To Watch, Trailers

From around the web:

http://www.quanahblogs.com/ Quanah

You say limited theaters? Like, maybe 3 or 4?
- http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
  
  Yea, it's an independent release from eOne, probably only NY & LA, but not exactly sure. Why do you ask?
  - http://www.quanahblogs.com/ Quanah
    
    I was being a smarty pants. This looks pretty uninteresting.
    - http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
      
      Ahhhh understood.
roommy

I think it is unfair to say a trailer is misleading when the entire movie has been reedited. I don't know why Brad B. is so mean spirited about this movie. It show a lack of professionalism on his part.
- Traveler
  
  He hated a movie and therefore lacks professionalism? Okay..
  - beevis
    
    no - he's a critic and therefore he hates everything.
Ken Tynan

I don't have a lot of confidence that a re-edit can save this movie, but Brevet's histrionic reaction makes him seem like a very delicate soul. " I can't for the life of me ever suggest anyone see this movie. I know that isn't a very nuanced or well thought out critique, but I would never dare watch the movie again to give it anything better." Really? I guess that's what these blogs are for; poorly articulated rants and then "friends" who repost and say "yeah... um... what he said"
beevis

it doesn't look bad. maybe it'll just be a one-time watch and forget it; but, it doesn't look like a disaster. i'll bet if james cameron directed and shot it in "super-amazing" 3D, these critics would be drooling over it.......they sure gave avatar a big pass. aside from it being a showcase for new tech, the movie wasn't that good - yet critics waxed on about it every chance they got.
CEDON

It seems pretty good to me. Even if it is a more dramatic movie than the trailer shows. I think the 'comical side' is particular but goes well and isn't suppose to make you giggle for 2-hours. I liked the idea of the movie and the weirdness of the character. Of course it's not a 3D-blockbuster or else but we have seen so many BAD movie this past year ... and summer is always time for super-heros and cartoons. As for trailers, they are always a lie. Most of the time they show the 3 best scenes and then you spend 2 boring hours waiting for the film to be finished.
http://twitter.com/brightonAwesome Brighton Luke

Well, I wouldn't take any review that's so inarticulate very seriously, but also it seems disingenuous to be putting out reviews now for this release when you haven't actually seen this version of the film. Reviews on the version that aired at TIFF should have come during and after TIFF, critics might want to wait and actually see a movie before they go making recommendations. It's amazing how much difference a re-edit can make especially if you got good coverage on the original shoot. So I personally will be holding judgement until I actually see this version. The trailer, to me looks great, regardless of if it's tragic or comedic this film (I actually prefer tragic movies) what they seem to be selling is two hours of Jennifer Connelly playing this off kilter crazy woman, that seems like two hours well spent to me.