Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s latest has found a home. Roadside Attractions and Gravitas Ventures are joining forces on the U.S. distribution of “The Friend,” a tearjerker inspired by a true story. A fall 2020 theatrical release is being planned, according to Deadline.
Based on Matthew Teague’s autobiographical Esquire essay, “The Friend” tells the story of Nicole (Dakota Johnson) and Matthew Teague (Casey Affleck), a married couple whose lives change overnight when Nicole is diagnosed with cancer. Their longtime friend Dane (Jason Segel), a notorious underachiever, leaves his job, home, and girlfriend behind to move in with Nicole, Matthew, and their daughters to help support them, proving to be their most loyal, committed ally.
“Everyone knows the value of a great friend, yet it’s rare to see friendship dramatized in film,” said Roadside’s Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. “To see these three great actors shine the light on what friendship means when the going gets tough adds up to something quite profound.”
Tony Piantedosi, Gravitas Ventures’ VP of Acquisitions, added, “Gabriela and her outstanding cast have crafted a profoundly moving portrait of the emotional bonds that sustain us. We are thrilled to be partnered with Roadside Attractions in presenting ‘The Friend’ to U.S. audiences this fall.”
“The Friend” made its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
“The Friend” marks Cowperthwaite’s first project since 2017’s Kate Mara-starrer “Megan Leavey,” a critically acclaimed portrait of a marine corporal who forms a deep connection with a military combat dog. Cowperthwaite launched her career in documentary filmmaking, and is best known for helming 2013’s “Blackfish,” an investigation into the toll captivity takes on killer whales.
