Every year, many films hit Sundance packed with stars, and featuring a solid name behind the camera, but not all of them live up to expecatation. And by most accounts, "Lay The Favorite" is one of those movies. Boasting a cast that includes Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vince Vaughn, Laura Prepon, Joshua Jackson and more, with Stephen Frears at the helm, the potential was there for a better-than-average comedy, but judging from the notices out of Park City, the result was less than that.
But with those kinds of names, it will spur interest no matter what, and via their VOD shingle Radius, The Weinstein Company are bringing the movie to screens this fall. Based on the Beth Raymer gambling memoir, and adapted by D.V. DeVincentis (”High Fidelity,” “Grosse Pointe Blank”), the story follows a woman in her 30s who becomes involved with a group of bettors who have figured out a way to game the sportsbook system in Las Vegas. But of course, their scheme falls apart, leading to hilarity and seemingly some heartbreak.
The new trailer probably tells you all you need to know about this one, particularly in regards to the tone, which is fairly broad. And unfortunately, our review out of Sundance said it's "a comedy that won't make you smirk, with a gaggle of characters and actors who bounce and riff with very little rhyme or reason." But see for yourself when "Lay The Favorite" goes all in on December 7th.
