The year was 1998, and the movie was "Wild Things." The trashy sexploitation movie wasn't exactly the best reviewed film of the year, but thanks to some girl-on-girl action, a menage a trois and enough double entendres for a singles mixer, it became a cult favorite, spawning a number of direct-to-DVD sequels. So why has director John McNaughton not made any features since 2001's forgotten comedy "Speaking Of Sex"? (Maybe we just answered our own question). While his return behind the camera won't be heralded with the same acclaim or anticipation as Lynne Ramsay's or Terrence Malick's, at least two excellent actors are eager to see if he's still got it.
Michael Shannon and Samantha Morton will star in McNaughton's first feature in eleven years, "The Harvest." But those hoping for more sleaze might be disappointed. Penned by Stephen Lancellotti, the story will follow a married couple with medical backgrounds, who care for their sick son in a secure, isolated, carefully controlled environment. But when a teen girl movies in next door and starts a relationship with the son, things begin to come apart. Okay, so maybe there is some potential for sleaze.
The horror film is described as a cross between "Hansel & Gretel" and "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf," which frankly sounds kind of awesome, and we can only imagine that's what drew these actors to the material. And indeed, cameras are now rolling on the movie with Charlie Tahan, Leslie Lyles and Meadow Williams co-starring. Festival circuit next fall? Seems like a safe bet. [Variety]