Tessa Thompson and Melissa Leo are two actors we will watch in just about anything. While Thompson is a rising star in Hollywood, with major roles in “Creed” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” Melissa Leo is an Academy Award-winning actress and acting chameleon, turning in great performance, after great performance in films like “Frozen River,” “The Fighter,” and “Prisoners.” Now, these two women are starring in the new dramedy “Furlough,” and if the first trailer is any indication, it looks to be a funny film that will tug at the heartstrings.
“Furlough” tells the story of a prison inmate, played by Leo, who is granted a furlough to visit her dying mother. Thompson plays the prison guard that is tasked with watching over Leo during this time. While that doesn’t seem like the funniest premise on paper, the footage shown is delightful and shows that Leo is great in just about anything. Whoopi Goldberg is along for the ride as Thompson’s mother.
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The film is directed by Laurie Collyer, known for the film “Sherrybaby.” Anna Paquin, Édgar Ramírez, and La La Anthony round out the cast.
Here’s the official synopsis from IFC Films:
Tessa Thompson, Academy Award(R) winner Melissa Leo, and Whoopi Goldberg lead a dynamite ensemble cast in this alternately rollicking and poignant comedy from director Laurie Collyer (the acclaimed Sherrybaby). In between caring for her mother (Goldberg), a young woman (Thompson) works part time at a prison. The rookie guard gets a chance to prove her mettle when she’s tasked with accompanying a hell-raising inmate (Leo) on an emergency furlough to visit her dying mother. But things soon spiral out of control, sending the pair on a hilarious, surprising, and ultimately touching road trip.
“Furlough” is scheduled to be released later this year.