Eric Larue
{{Short description|American drama film by Michael Shannon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Eric LaRue
| image = Eric Larue poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Michael Shannon
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Sarah Green
- Karl Hartman
- Jina Panebianco}}
| screenplay = Brett Neveu
| based_on = {{Based on|Eric Larue|Brett Neveu}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Big Cove Productions
- Big Indie Pictures
- CaliWood Pictures
}}
| distributor = Magnolia Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2023|6|10|Tribeca|2025|4|4|United States}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $28 million
}}
Eric LaRue is a 2023 American drama film directed by Michael Shannon in his directorial debut. It was written by Brett Neveu and based on his 2002 play of the same name.
Synopsis
Janice, the mother of a high school murderer, prepares to visit her son in prison and to meet a collection of bereaved local parents.
Cast
{{col div}}
- Judy Greer as Janice LaRue
- Paul Sparks as Steve Calhan, a Presbyterian pastor
- Alison Pill as Lisa, a Human Resources manager close with Ron
- Tracy Letts as Bill Verne, motivational preacher
- Annie Parisse as Stephanie, a grieving mother
- Kate Arrington as Jill, a grieving mother
- Alexander Skarsgård as Ron LaRue, Janice's husband
- Nation Sage Henrikson as Eric LaRue, Janice's son and school shooter
- Lawrence Grimm as Jack, Janice's boss.
{{col div end}}
Production
The play Eric Larue by Brett Neveu debuted in 2002 in Chicago at the A Red Orchid Theatre, whose founding members include Michael Shannon. Neveu wrote the play in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Shannon was directing a different Neveu play when a mass shooting occurred at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February 2018, and a decision was made for Neveu to adapt his play Eric Larue for the screen. Shannon was announced as the director in July 2022. Shannon was quoted as saying "Eric Larue plays at the macro and a micro level simultaneously. When I read the screenplay, I immediately knew I had to direct it. I saw it. I heard it. I could feel it. And I wanted to make sure that it received just the right touch in all its aspects, because at the end of the day, it is an extraordinarily delicate thing." Executive production by Jeff Nichols and production by Sarah Green from Brace Cove Productions marks the seventh time they have worked together.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
Production is also completed by Karl Hartman from Big Indie Pictures and Jina Panebianco from CaliWood Pictures, with executive producers also on board being R. Wesley Sierk III, Byron Wetzel, Meghan Schumacher, Joh D. Straley and Declan Baldwin.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/michael-shannon-eric-larue-1235058297/|title=Michael Shannon To Make Directorial Debut On Adaptation Of Brett Neveu's Play 'Eric Larue'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 5, 2022}}
=Casting=
In July 2022, Judy Greer, Paul Sparks, Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, Annie Parisse, Kate Arrington and Alexander Skarsgård were announced as the cast.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/michael-shannon-judy-greer-alexander-skarsgard-eric-larue-1235080175/|title=Michael Shannon Sets Ensemble For Directorial Debut 'Eric Larue'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 28, 2022 }}
=Filming=
Filming was scheduled for August 8, 2022 to September 5, 2022 in Little Rock, Arkansas.{{Cite web|url=https://productionlist.com/production/eric-larue/|title=Eric Larue|website=Film & Television Industry Alliance|date=July 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102025600/https://productionlist.com/production/eric-larue/|archive-date=January 2, 2023|url-status=live}} However, citing an Arkansas state law which banned nearly all abortions in the state, including cases of rape and incest, as well as the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, it was announced that the production had withdrawn from the state and would instead be filming in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.{{Cite news|last=Gilblom|first=Kelly|agency=Bloomberg News|url=https://time.com/6200970/hollywood-companies-anti-abortion-states/|title=Hollywood Pours Billions Into Anti-Abortion States It Condemns|magazine=Time|date=July 27, 2022}}{{Cite web|first=Worth|last=Sparkman|url=https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/07/08/film-project-nwa-abortion-roe-ruling|title= Film project skips town after Roe ruling|website=Axios|date= July 8, 2022}} Filming locations in Wilmington in August 2022 were thought to include Elderhaus, St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church and New River Pottery, amongst others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wect.com/2022/08/10/michael-shannons-eric-larue-film-wilmington/%3FoutputType%3D|title=Michael Shannon's 'Eric Larue' to film in Wilmington|website=WECT}} Filming was wrapped before the middle of September 2022.{{Cite web|first=John|last= Staton|url=https://eu.starnewsonline.com/story/entertainment/2022/09/14/wilmington-film-update-when-see-local-movies-amazon-series-more/8022994001/|title=Wilmington film update: When to see locally made projects set to drop in the coming months|website=Star-News|date=September 13, 2022}}
Release
Eric LaRue had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival on June 10, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/eric-larue-review-michael-shannon-powerful-directorial-debut-udy-greer-alexander-skarsgard-tribeca-film-festival-1235413690/|title='Eric LaRue' Review: Michael Shannon's Powerful Directorial Debut With Superb Performances From Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgard – Tribeca Film Festival|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=June 10, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 11, 2023}} It was released in the United States on April 4, 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/michael-shannon-eric-larue-release-date-trailer/|title=Michael Shannon Directorial Debut Drama 'Eric Larue' Sets Spring Date, Unveils Trailer|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=February 18, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 18, 2025}}
Reception
The performances of the ensemble cast, and in particular Judy Greer playing against type, received praise by Lex Briscuso for TheWrap,{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/eric-larue-review-michael-shannon-judy-greer-tribeca/|title= 'Eric Larue' Review: Judy Greer Is Stunning in Michael Shannon's Directorial Debut|date=June 10, 2023|accessdate=June 10, 2023|website=The Wrap|first=Lex|last=Briscuso}} David Rooney for the Hollywood Reporter,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/eric-larue-review-judy-greer-michael-shannon-directing-debut-1235512274/|date=June 10, 2023|accessdate=June 10, 2023|first=David|last=Rooney|title=Eric LaRue' Review: Judy Greer Is Superb as the Shattered Mother of a School Shooter in Michael Shannon's Directing Debut|website=The Hollywood Reporter }} and Pete Hammond for Deadline Hollywood.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|21221514}}
{{School shootings in the United States}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eric Larue}}
Category:American independent films
Category:Films about dysfunctional families
Category:Films about mass murder
Category:Films about school violence
Category:Films about mother–son relationships