Magnolia Pictures has made a deal to distribute the Rick Alverson extra dark comedy Entertainment, according to Variety. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and screening at SXSW to generally good reviews, the indie has finally found a home.
The film was written, directed, and produced by Alverson, the man behind the 2012 indie drama The Comedy. Alverson has continued his pattern of irony with Entertainment, which follows an unfunny stand-up comedian as he goes on the road, performing at a string of lackluster venues. The comedian is portrayed by Gregg Turkington, an actual stand-up comic best known for his character Neil Hamburger, a sweating, throat-clearing, and disturbing counterpart to the film’s main character.
Entertainment has somewhat of a big-name supporting cast, with appearances by John C. Reilly (Step Brothers), Michael Cera (Juno), Tye Sheridan (Mud), Amy Seimetz (Tiny Furniture), and The Comedy star Tim Heidecker.
The indie will likely draw a cult audience of people familiar with Turkington or Alverson and their twisted brand of comedy. Fans of Reilly’s, Cera’s, or Sheridan’s may also show considerable numbers for the film. At the very least, Alverson’s film will attract those viewers hungry for off-beat comedy and genre-bending film.
Magnolia has not yet set a release date for Entertainment. Prior to their plans, however, the film will be screening this month at the Sarasota, Nashville, and San Francisco International Film Festivals.
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