So far I've been less than impressed by Derik Martini's first two features, the suburban comedy Lymelife and last year's trashy coming-of-age film, Hick. But there's reason to get excited about his latest feature, The Curse of Downers Grove. First off, the psycho-thriller features words by controversial author and Twitter provocateur Bret Easton Ellis. Second, it now stars one of my favorite up and coming actresses, Bella Heathcote.
Heathcote has joined the previously announced Lucas Till (X-men: First Class), Kevin Zegers (Transamerica), and the newly added Penelope Mitchell (Hemlock Grove). Heathcote has been the best part of two underwhelming films, David Chase's Not Fade Away and Tim Burton's Dark Shadows, so hopefully she'll find a project worthy of her talents. The story is set in a Midwestern town struck by a curse that claims one high school senior per year. Heathcote's character is a student who fears she may be next.The film is based on the Michael Hornburg novel, and has been in development for a couple of years with Hayden Panettiere attached at one point. Production will begin this spring.
