Though best known for his acting career, and some questionable behavior and controversial remarks that have seen him excommunicated from the cool circles of Hollywood, Alex Pettyfer is making news by taking on the role of director in a new drama due out in December. “Back Roads” is based on the Oprah Winfrey book club novel of the same name, written by Tawni O’Dell in 1999. The film finally hit the festival circuit after years of being developed, making it to the big screen after Pettyfer signed on to lead it. O’Dell stays on as the co-writer with Adrian Lyne (“Flashdance,” “Unfaithful”) and presumably keep the movie close to the book.
The movie follows the story of Harley, a young man caring for his younger sisters after their mother is arrested for killing their abusive father. While this is happening, Harley tries to deal with the claustrophobia that comes with living in a backwoods coal mining town, all the while becoming interested and then obsessed with the depressed young mother living down the block. The plot is filled with family drama, surprising twists, dark secrets, and a good old-fashioned small-town feel. Pettyfer, of course, will be staring as the lead as well as his role as director.
The actor/director is usually known either for his prominent teen movies such as “I Am Number Four” or “Beastly,” or for his killer good looks like he demonstrated in 2012’s “Magic Mike.” (Or both.) Pettyfer is also bringing in actress Jennifer Morrison as the young mother and love interest, who already has made a name for herself with the tv shows “House M.D.” and Disney’s “Once Upon A Time.” Juliette Lewis (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “August: Osage County”) will star as the stubborn imprisoned mother, and Nicola Peltz (“Bates Motel,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction”) will play a constant source of tensions in the movie as one of Harley’s younger sisters.
“Back Roads” will be out December 7th, 2018.