TIFF 2010 Buyer’s Club: #2. Dustin Lance Black’s What’s Wrong With Virginia

#2. What’s Wrong With Virginia

The Gist: Jennifer Connelly will 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.

Director: Dustin Lance Black — Sales Agent: Inferno International

Selling Point: Oscar this. Oscar that. Oscar winning scribe makes his directorial debut, featuring Oscar winning (Jennifer Connelly) and nominated (Ed Harris) thesps could help, but what this really needs is more critical love at the fest.

Suited For: Glossy release is to be expected from top tier indie company — could land with Focus Features where Milk was housed.