There are good movie posters that work both aesthetically and thematically, and then there’s the early art for “The Electric Slide.” Collider shares a number of posters from this year’s American Film Market (aka AFM), but the image created to sell “The Electric Slide” stands out — and not in a good way. We understand that few images from the 2011 film may be available since it’s early in the production process, but this might be a case where a text-only design would work better than the Photoshopped mess we see here.
We reported on the film earlier this year, though Collider’s copy of the film’s description from the distributor goes a bit deeper. Set in 1980s Los Angeles (where faux-hawks were prevalent, according to the poster), “The Electric Slide” seems to begin as a study in Hollywood glamour and celebrity connections. The based-on-real-events story centers on Eddie Dodson (Ewan McGregor), a charmer who sold Deco-era furniture to the stars. However, his connections didn’t impress Jenny (Carey Mulligan), so he robs a bank to earn her affection (logical, right? Apparently, you can’t make this stuff up). Jenny joins him in his criminal life, becoming a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but hopefully with a better ending for all involved. Since they robbed more than 70 banks, expect plenty of montages of heists and spending sprees.
Mulligan is rightfully riding high after her sure-to-be-Oscar-nominated role in “An Education,” and we see her doing well here, but not if she liberally employs the pose (and the haircut) from the poster. The art is being used to appeal to potential distributors, but with its cheesiness and McGregor’s high ranking on Hollywood’s most overpaid list, we wonder if it’s worth banking on. It’s directed by Tristan Patterson, who has no other IMDB credits to his name.
that girl has a face for radio