Watch: Truly Odd Trailer For 'The Letter' With James Franco & Winona Ryder

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by Benjamin Wright
August 16, 2012 6:19 PM
12 Comments

It’s been awhile since Winona Ryder, star of a vast array of films from “Edward Scissorhands” to “Girl Interrupted,” has really taken the lead in a picture – lately she’s mostly been a supporting player in films like “Black Swan,” “Star Trek,” and her upcoming reteaming with director Tim Burton on the stop-motion “Frankenweenie.” Unfortunately, if the trailer for her upcoming return to leading lady status “The Letter” is any indication of the film that follows, we’re not quite sure we’re ready to have her back.

In the film Ryder's cast as a playwright who is beginning to lose touch with reality for no discernible reason, all while her character Martine begins to fall for the mysterious Tyrone (James Franco), which may or may not have anything to do with why she’s mentally unraveling. It seems like a convoluted mess, and looks like it was shot as a student short film (oh wait, director Jay Anania is a prof at NYU film school...) – which would be fine if it weren’t attempting to sell us a psychological thriller with two Academy Award-nominated leads.

The film looks set to debut on VOD, with Josh Hamilton (“J. Edgar”), Marin Ireland (“28 Hotel Rooms”) and Katherine Waterston (“Being Flynn”) also in the mix. You can check out the ultra-low production values in the trailer below. [Collider]

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More: The Letter, James Franco, Winona Ryder, Film Trailers

12 Comments

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Laura | September 30, 2012 4:37 PMReply

One of the worst movies I have ever seen in my entire life. Shameful, to put out a piece of garbage, and actually charge people to see it.
Indivio | September 1, 2012 9:24 PMReply

Here's the new trailer - http://shri.me/OBsz0o
Hayley M | August 20, 2012 11:34 AMReply

what? was that, ok the intro was ok i was quite exited to see an new Winona Ryder
trailer come back well results were pretty disappointing
they should redo this trailer it's seriously terrible a good trailer sets a good example to a film and so far iam not impressed, I hope 'the iceman' at least will be a comeback for Winona
because she's got real talent she deserves better.
Sean | August 17, 2012 7:14 AMReply

<<Haha comment b4 me by Jeff lolll. Ok um yeah dreadful. Student film looking duh, low budget, low production, shitty editing, ridiculous camera angles, horrible ACTING!, every1 is miscast badly, & oh yeah I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE FUCK THEY AGREED TO THIS & WHO THE HELL LET THEM.... Winona you have fallen a loooonggg tragic fall ... (& I kinda expected better from a prof at freakin NYU...) Can Playlist or some1 please tell me why these actors agreed to this....?????
Jeff | August 17, 2012 1:18 AMReply

This looks so bad I just wet myself.
Fry | August 17, 2012 12:16 AMReply

Looks like it was shot by a youtuber and cut by Tim and Eric. Horrid stuff unless you're working with one of those $2000 Canons.
Anonymouse | August 16, 2012 10:25 PMReply

seems more the director's fault for choosing to shoot nearly EVERYTHING in medium and close-ups, quite shoddily at that. all the tropes of a no-budget shoot are apparent.
Oogle monster | August 16, 2012 9:28 PMReply

This is hilarious. The voice-over sounds like a Funny or Die Video.
NYU STUDENT | August 16, 2012 8:23 PMReply

This is positively shameful...
DG | August 16, 2012 7:52 PMReply

I can't believe Franco's name is Tyrone
Jesse | August 16, 2012 7:27 PMReply

Well, now I don't feel so bad about not going to NYU.
smert | August 16, 2012 7:02 PMReply

perhaps times and tough and the parts ain't comin' like they used to...