You know, it’s been a bit since we had a properly apocalyptic western, and though we don’t think that Clint’s High Plains Drifter will be topped anytime soon (especially with the amount of Westerns — i.e., none — coming out), it’s nice to see someone try. The world may be going to hell, sure, but at least we’re not in the Friendship, Wisconsin of Dara Van Dusen’s A Prayer for the Dying. No, this isn’t a remake of the Mike Hodges movie with Mickey Rourke and Pierce Brosnan. Instead, it’s an adaptation of Stewart O’Nan’s novel about a Civil War veteran and his small town going through crisis after crisis. Johnny Flynn plays the veteran, and John C. Reilly plays the doctor. What more could you want?
Well, we’re sure O’Nan wants the Sox to win the World Series, but he’ll have to settle for a pretty damn fine-looking motion picture. It played to raves in Berlin; now it’s got a trailer from Quiver Entertainment.
Peep it:
Here’s a synopsis for A Prayer for the Dying from the Berlindale program:
“In 1870, the town of Friendship, Wisconsin, is enduring a dry, hot summer. The small town revolves around Jacob Hansen (Johnny Flynn), a hero of the American Civil War who, in spite of his many accomplishments, is unable to cast off the violence and darkness of his past as a soldier. Feeling compelled to atone for the wrongs he has committed, Jacob takes on the responsibility not only of providing for his young family but also of serving as sheriff, undertaker and pastor for Friendship. He thus considers Friendship to be under his protection – a claim that comes to haunt him when the town is hit by an epidemic that the town’s doctor (John C. Reilly) cannot contain. As every decision becomes a choice between two evils, Jacob is increasingly haunted by his war-ridden past. It is unclear how much longer he can continue in his self-imposed role as the town’s protector or whether he will ever be able to forgive himself for what he has done. ‘A Prayer for the Dying’ is a powerful account of the choices we must make when disaster strikes and everything we hold dear, including faith, family and community, is shaken to its very core.”
A Prayer for the Dying hits theaters on October 9.