2013 Sundance Film Festival Predictions: Phil Morrison’s Lucky Dog

Not totally inactive (he was an executive producer on Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy & Meek’s Cutoff), but it’s been a whopping eight years since Phil Morrison burst onto the indie scene with Junebug (Sundance 05′). With a trio that includes Park City regulars Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti (see set pic) team with Sally Hawkins, Lucky Dog, his sophomore comedy, not only matches the setting of the fest in terms of its wintery backdrop, but it’s a premium title that will likely fit well for the Eccles and have indie distributors in wheel and deal mode.

Gist: Written by first time scribe Melissa James Gibson, Guy and Rene (Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd) are a French Canadian odd couple on the loose in New York City. It’s the holidays and these ex-cons have a get rich quick plan to sell Christmas trees. For happy go lucky Rene it’s a chance to make some easy cash, but when competition comes from the Mob he’s left out in the cold. Guy can’t stand Rene because Rene’s sleeping with his ex-wife. But he’s determined to get them their money, even if it means falling in love along the way.

Production Co./Producers: Touchy Feely Films’ Daniel Carey and Elizabeth Giamatti, SKE’s Sidney Kimmel and GreeneStreet Films’ John Penotti

Prediction: Premieres Program

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available