Would Somebody Please Buy 'Killer Joe' Already

Of all the movies looking for distribution at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, Killer Joe is the one I'm probably most excited about.

Directed by William Friedkin, with a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts, Killer Joe is a twisted slice of noir that features a wonderful ensemble cast consisting of Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church, Gina Gershon and Matthew McConaughey.

Based on Letts' award-winning off-Broadway play, Killer Joe is a visceral character study centered on the problems of Chris (Hirsch), a low-class loser who ends up in debt to a biker gang because his mom stole his drugs. In order to pay up and save his life, Chris solicits Killer Joe (McConaughey) to murder his mom, who has a life insurance policy that should just about cover his debt. Of course, Chris' trashy family gets involved and let's just say things become complicated and leave it at that.

Friedkin and Letts have worked together before. Friedkin's wonderfully dark 2006 film Bug was based on Letts' second play. In my opinion, that flick was probably the best thing Friedkin has done since The Exorcist — yes, even better than To Live and Die in L.A. That's how much I love Bug. Obviously, Friedkin and Letts work well together. So, would someone please pick up Killer Joe so I, and the rest of the movie-going public, can see it — pretty please?

Hey, I get it, potential distributors. It's a tough world out there. And Killer Joe is not for everyone. It's a dark study of warped interpersonal family dynamics. And Letts is a challenging artist. But there's a dearth of smart, demanding films out there, and I know there's a market for them. Let's look on the potential bright side, shall we? Killer Joe also revolves around sex, murder and drugs, and the movie-going public loves those things! Plus, Killer Joe has an awesome cast.

Hirsch is a charismatic performer who has been on the brink of stardom for years. The problem is, he's often better than the material he's given to work with. But this is proven material and I'm sure Hirsch will excel in Letts' slimy milieu. Remember, we have Letts to thank for the career of Michael Shannon, who, after his work in the stage and screen versions of Bug, exploded onto the scene. Perhaps this will be the piece to give Hirsch the nudge he needs.

It's been a while since the amazing Gina Gershon has had such a wonderful project. Like Hirsch, Gershon has had her ups and downs, but she's a wonderful actress who is not getting the roles she deserves. For the last few years, she's been able to shine in a few small character performances. As Hirsch's stepmom in Killer Joe, Gershon has a delicious scene-stealing part that I…umm, the movie-going public deserves to see.

And what about Matthew McConaughey — rarely has an actor made so many mediocre, and/or bad, movies and remained so loved. Let's face it, he's a likable guy. And he's talented. Really, he's given great performances. Hell, even in dreck like Fool's Gold and Sahara he's never less than entertaining. Much like his persona, he seems satisfied to glide on through his career, doing whatever he wants with the least amount of effort. But, when the planets align and he feels like it, McConaughey can knock it out of the park: Lone Star, Frailty and, of course, Dazed and Confused. I think this is the McConaughey we'll see in Killer Joe.

I’ve read a couple of quite good reviews about Killer Joe, and Deadline tells me that producer Mickey Liddell is considering purchasing it. I hope he does. It would be a good fit for him. Liddell gave us the offbeat gem Go several years ago; more recently, he produced The Collector, which was a lot of fun.

So, please, if somebody somewhere could somehow pick up distribution this movie, I'd really appreciate it. But you don't have to do it for me. Do it for the movie-going public. Or, be selfish and do it for yourself.

Killer Joe has all the signs of a sleeper hit (challenging material, respected director, wonderful cast). A little buzz and we could be talking Academy Award nominations. You could pick this up for a song and walk away with Oscar gold! No one would begrudge you that. The movie business is a game of odds. The winner is the one willing to gamble. Nothing ventured nothing gained, my friend. But you're savvy, potential distributor. You know this.

So, be smart, potential distributor. Do yourself (and the movie-going public) a favor and pick up Killer Joe. Now. Please?

[UPDATE] Deadline has revealed Mickey Liddell did indeed pick up U.S. distribution rights for Killer Joe. The U.S. movie-going public thanks you, Mr. Liddell.