SYNOPSIS

Written by Dustin Lance Black, formerly titled "What's Wrong with Virginia?," this sees Jennifer Connelly play Virginia, a charming yet mentally ill mother whose greatest love is her protector and illegitimate son, Emmett (Harrison Gilbertson). Richard Tipton (Ed Harris), the local married Mormon sheriff, who is running for public office, might very well be Emmett’s father. Their boardwalk town’s peculiar secrets are threatened when Virginia’s son begins a romantic relationship with Tipton’s daughter (Emma Roberts) sending mother and son on a mad dash to seize their own brand of the American Dream – guns blazing.

PREVIEW NOTES

• Variety reports that Liam Neeson and Jennifer Connelly will star in the pic to be directed by Dustin Lance Black. Gus Van Sant will be exec producer. The film shoots in Michigan in late summer. Tictock Studios is financing the film and founders Hopwood DePree and Scott Brooks will produce with Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and Eric Watson. Roar’s Jay Froberg and Greg Suess will be exec producers. - 2009-05-16