Post Content
New Visuals
The first trailer for Paul Schrader’s (writer of Taxi Driver) The Canyons, released in early October, gave us a glimpse of the upcoming neo-noir thriller in a ’70s grindhouse-esque style.
The new trailer takes us back even further back, incorporating a 1950′s black and white vibe. The camera filters are gritty, the eyeliner wings intense, and the acting forceful.
All of these factors may give hints as to what the actual style of the film will be, but it’s hard to tell with the trailers’ varying styles.
Read Now:- Top 8 Best Thought-Provoking Movies to Watch In 2021
Trouble with Casting
The film is written by Bret Easton Ellis (The Rules of Attraction, American Psycho) and produced by Braxton Pope. Set in Los Angeles, The Canyons stars Lindsay Lohan as Tara and adult film star James Deen as Christian.
Originally, Ellis and Pope had considered Lohan as just a supporting role, but director Paul Schrader had considered her for the lead.
After her screen test, Lohan was cast for the female lead, but the male lead wasn’t settled on. Schrader was reluctant to cast Deen due to his history with the porn industry but was surprised by his acting abilities and charisma. After selling the idea of posing him against Lohan, Ellis and Pope finally convinced Schrader to cast Deen.
When asked about the casting, Ellis said, “Dealing with the casting of The Canyons was a great, liberating process–for both the production team and for actors in general.
We used LetIt Cast and saw some amazing actors that we will definitely keep in mind for future projects. The way the entire cast came together so quickly was a thrill and everyone who landed their roles deserved them.”
Let-It-Cast is an international casting system that allows actors to audition for roles online. The system was originally inspired by Stanley Kubrik during his casting of Full Metal Jacket, a point when the director was too afraid to fly to view more potentials for the film.
Read Now:- Tinkerbell Movies in Order to Watch in April 2021
Director Paul Schrader is a particular fan of LetItCast and is quoted on the company’s website noting how helpful the revolutionary new casting system has been for him personally.
It’s Not ‘The Hills’
The Canyons tells the story of several 20-somethings in modern-day Los Angeles. The plot focuses on how sexual obsession and ambitions can transpire into deceit and unraveled lives.
From the looks of the new trailer, The Canyons has potential, but if the acting is any indication of the film’s genuineness then Schrader may have his work cut out.
The lines are delivered in a blunt, matter-of-fact fashion, giving the film an almost satiric feel. Half of the shots show actors looking straight into the camera delivering their lines. It’s kind of awkward and definitely gives the feel that you’re watching a reality show rather than a scripted film.
The addition of the tagline, “It’s not The Hills” is also a risky move since the reality television show isn’t exactly known for its realism or for being interesting in the least bit.
So if it’s not The Hills, why is it The Canyons? It’ll be interesting to see just how this film pans out, especially with its unique marketing and cast. Although there is no official release date yet, The Canyons should hit theaters sometime in 2013.