The trailer for Brian Goodman’s gritty, South-Boston crime drama, “What Doesn’t Kill You” is online. The film stars Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke as thug brothers torn by a life of crime and family life based on the director’s real-life experiences as a crack addict, criminal, father and jailbird. Here’s the synopsis:
Based on events from director Brian Goodman’s life, WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU, stars Mark Ruffalo (Brian) and Ethan Hawke (Paulie), as friends who grew up like brothers on the gritty streets of south Boston. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog-eat-dog neighborhood. Petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses and eventually, they fall under sway to organized crime boss Pat Kelly (played by Goodman).
As Brian becomes increasingly lost in a haze of drugs and ‘jobs,’ even the love he has for his wife (Amanda Peet) and his children does not seem like it will be enough to redeem him. Meanwhile, Paulie plans “one last heist” but knows it will take both of them to pull it off. How can they escape the only life they know?
Honestly? We’ve seen it all before and the film wasn’t particularly penetrating nor has it really stuck with us. We saw it in September at the Toronto Film Festival and aside from serviceable turns by Hawke and especially Ruffalo in the third act (which was rather resonating), the film didn’t really do much for us and isn’t likely to stand out by year’s end, let alone stand a chance at Oscar. It’s a bit of a shame only because Goodman seems like a really honest and genuine person. He received a standing ovation at TIFF and had to do everything in his powers to not break down and cry, the film is so personal to him (obviously). The film is set for a December 12 limited release in New York and L.A. to qualify for Oscars and then will probably see a wider release in January.