Kelly Reichardt’s Period Western ‘Meek’s Cutoff’ Scores April 8 Theatrical Release

Michelle Williams Taking One Year Hiatus After ‘My Week With Marilyn’

After premiering at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, Kelly Reichardt‘s period western “Meek’s Cutoff” has now excitingly been handed an April 8th theatrical release through Oscilloscope Pictures, the distribution shingle founded by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch.

Our reviews from TIFF generally applauded the film for the impeccable detail, glorious cinematography and slow-burning, meditative qualities in the historical tale centering on the eponymous Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), a hired guide who led an ill-fated contingent of wagons through a shortcut en route to Willamette Valley in 1845. The likes of Shirley Henderson, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano and Will Patton co-star with scripting by Reichardt regular Jonathan Raymond.

“When [Kelly] handed me the script for ‘Meek’s Cutoff’ it was, like, one of the top five happiest moments of my life,” Williams explained to Scott Feinberg of her latest collaboration with Reichardt after 2008’s “Wendy And Lucy.” “It fits right in there. Because I think, like, when you’re an actress, you give so much to a movie, and sometimes you, kind of, feel like, not “used” when it’s over, but like you’ve exposed everything that you have to give, and then the director, kind of, moved on—like, they’re, sort of, done with you, like, they’re bored with you, like, they’ve gone into all of your secret hiding places and they’re ready for somebody else’s mysteries to unfold. So when Kelly handed me a second script, I felt like, I don’t know—like she wanted to marry me instead of just date me or something.”

In England shooting Simon Curtis‘ “My Week With Marilyn,” Williams also surprisingly revealed to EW that “after this movie, I’m taking some time off. I’m not working for another year.” A definite loss for audiences, though the actress will likely have left us with enough material for the next year or so with “Meek’s Cutoff” hitting in April, Sarah Polley‘s “Take This Waltz” co-starring Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby and Sarah Silverman likely hit the festival scene next year and “My Week With Marilyn” probably ready by next fall.