In theory, reuniting Silver Linings Playbook stars Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper should guarantee critical success. The pair brought to life two characters plucked from Matthew Quick’s novel with nuance and aplomb. Lawrence in particular captured the dramedy of her role and landed herself a Best Actress Oscar. Will their latest effort, Serena, be a repeat of their earlier success?
With a plagued production that completed its shoot years back, there’s reason for doubt. Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier’s attempt to reinstate the pair’s magic chemistry for a period drama set during the 1920s has, after all, sat on the shelf for two years. Magnolia have faith in their film though, and they’ve released the first clip from the movie ahead of its limited release this month.
In the brief scene, we see the newlyweds discussing their timber business. It’s not the most enticing of previews, however, as their car trundles up to a hillside and the pair survey the vast swathe of land George (Cooper) has just purchased. We’ll hold out hope that the completed movie will be replete with passion and intrigue.
Serena will debut at the London Film Festival before it opens in the UK on October 24th. For those in the U.S., you’ll have to wait for its VOD release on February 26th, 2015 and its theatrical release on March 27th. In the meantime, check out the plot summary below and let us know what you think.
North Carolina mountains at the end of the 1920s – George and Serena Pemberton, love-struck newly-weds, begin to build a timber empire. Serena soon proves herself to be equal to any man: overseeing loggers, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving a man’s life in the wilderness. With power and influence now in their hands, the Pembertons refuse to let anyone stand in the way of their inflated love and ambitions. However, once Serena discovers George’s hidden past and faces an unchangeable fate of her own, the Pemberton’s passionate marriage begins to unravel leading toward a dramatic reckoning.
