Picked up by Lionsgate Films exactly two years ago, despite having an unsexy Russell Crowe in the lead, John Polson‘s Tenderness has been collecting dust and judging by the film’s trailer below, it could be argued that this looks like straight to video fair than an improvement on Swimfan and Hide and Seek. Until now it hadn’t seen the day of light having been showed solely in market festival screenings, but a recent submission to the MPAA board for ratings purposes and a world preem back in Sydney means we can expect this to hit theaters.
Based on writer Emil Stern’s adaptation of Robert Cormier’s teen serial killer novel, set in New York State, the story centres on the release of juvenile murderer, Eric Poole, who at 18 is set free with an expunged record. Crowe’s character, the arresting detective Cristofuoro, is sure Poole is a serial killer who will reoffend, and stalks the young man as he sets off on a road trip up-state. But all is not as it seems as Poole soon finds himself the target of unwanted attention from a young girl with a fascination for the macabre.
Crowe, who is on a one film per year pace will next work with Ridley Scott again with Robin Hood, while Polson who chairs the Tropfest, has did a couple of television gigs but nothing significant since this thriller. I’m curious to know if anyone out there cares about this film?