The first trailer for “The World Made Straight” has landed, and it has some surprises for anyone who hasn’t been tracking the film. We also think it promises great soundtrack elements for those of you in love with bluegrass music. (Folk singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who most recently contributed music to an episode of “True Detective,” appears on-screen in the film and sings the opening song in the trailer.)
Set in Appalachia and based on the novel by Ron Rash, the film follows a troubled young man trying to escape his hometown’s long history of violence, which dates back to a Civil War massacre. The surprises we’re talking about come mainly in the form of casting. That thin, bearded guy with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a pistol in his hand—can you place the face? Yes, you guessed correctly, and don’t worry, it took us a moment, too. “ER” doc Noah Wyle plays Leonard in what looks to be a new direction for the actor. And that other, shorter guy with a full and bushy beard? While his facial hair covers half his youthful face, you might be able to make out that it’s Haley Joel Osment under there. Minka Kelly, Jeremy Irvine, and Adelaide Clemens round out the cast.
The film’s worth tracking for reasons beyond the casting, too. Aside from a short a TV documentary way back in 2001, this is director David Burris’ first feature credit. It’s also only screenwriter Shane Danielsen’s second listed credit—the first being the 2012 German movie, “Errors of the Human Body.” And Ron Rash, whose novel the film is based on, is poised to become much more of a household name. ‘Made Straight’ is actually the second film of his audiences will get to see next year. “Serena,” which re-teams Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, opens in February.
With so much emerging and transforming talent involved, we’re curious to see where “The World Made Straight” goes. The film opens in theaters and on VOD January 9th. Watch the official trailer below.
