Taylor Hackford’s Film Receives some ‘Love’ from E1 Entertainment

Beginning this coming June, the Helen Mirren appreciation society will have their first of many “theatrical” dates with the actress in 2010. The big surprise is that our first Mirren pick isn’t The Debt, The Tempest nor Brighton Rock, but the ill-fated Taylor Hackford comedy that was part of the Capitol Films slate before the division financially collapsed. THR reports that Love Ranch will receive a limited U.S. release in June via a deal that would see E1 Entertainment partnering on domestic marketing costs with Aramid Entertainment Fund. E1 also acquired rights for the U.K., Scandinavia, France, Australia and other territories and whichever ones that are still available will, and it will sell other foreign rights next month at Cannes – which means there’ll be a must see market screening that I’ll try to get into.

Written by Mark Jacobson, Grace (Helen Mirren) is married to Charlie (Joe Pesci), a violent gangster constantly trying to hit the big time in Reno, Nevada. Throughout their marriage she has always been the brains to his brawn and together they are a force to be reckoned with… But when Charlie dreams up yet another money making enterprise and brings Bruza, a world class boxer into their realm everything will change. There is something different about Bruza – his passion, his past, his mane of hair – and despite the danger, Grace is unable to stay away from him. As the electricity between them builds to its inevitable conclusion, the weariness of Grace and Charlie’s twenty-two year marriage begins to show. As does the dark and dangerous underbelly of Charlie’s character when he finds himself sidelined. As the big fight draws closer, it transpires that Bruza has not told Grace everything. Bruza shouldn’t be fighting and Grace shouldn’t be caring. Although they both know better, they can’t stop themselves from falling in love. When the enormity of Grace’s treachery is revealed, Charlie reacts with the fury of a man who has lost everything when he almost had it all.

THR mentions that the film will open in a handful of theaters in seven to 10 North American cities, including New York and Los Angeles. If the movie gets positive reviews and does good business, the release would be expanded.