Sundance Preview: Incendiary

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 17, 2008

We continue to roll through a selection of Sundance ’08’s lineup, previewing some of the films that are on my radar, which means that they should be on yours — see how that works? Incendiary comes from writer/director Sharon MaGuire, who gave us Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Official Synopsis: On Mayday, life is perfect for a young mother (Michelle Williams) in her London tower block home overlooking a beautiful Georgian square. It’s her little boy’s birthday and he couldn’t be happier as she waves him off to the big soccer match with his dad. While they are away she runs into Jasper Black (Ewan McGregor), a journalist who lives in one of the grand houses below her window.

The last time they met she was beside herself with fear, while her husband was away on bomb disposal duties. When charming, sympathetic Jasper came on to her as she took solace in a few drinks in the local pub, she couldn’t resist him.

On this sunny spring day she’s tempted again. Minutes later she can only watch in horror as their illicit love-making is interrupted by live TV coverage of explosions ripping through the soccer stadium. Her perfect life is over.

In the aftermath, struggling to deal with her guilt and grief, she rejects Jasper’s attempts to comfort her. Instead she finds herself drawn to her husband’s boss, Terrence Butcher, (Matthew Macfadyen) the police officer in charge of the investigation. As the two men fight over her the real truth behind the events of Mayday begins to emerge.

My interest in this one is that it feels a lot like Little Children, but without the creepy child molester walking the streets. Then again, that created a whole separate level of depth in Little Children, so it could go the other way. Either way, I have never been one to shy away from a little cinematic adultery that involves a lady of Michelle Williams’ stature.

Take a look at the photo below, the first look from the film. It makes its premiere here at Sundance on January 20, so expect a review sometime during the middle of next week.

Keep it locked to our 2008 Sundance Film Festival Homepage all week as I will bring you up-to-date reviews, news and features from Park City, Utah.

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