Levity

A weighty drama about the burdens of guilt and redemption seems like an awful stretch for writer and first-time director Ed Solomon. His previous credits are all comedies, including Men In Black, Charlie’s Angels, and the Bill & Ted movies—not terrible films, but ones with absolutely zero gravitas. On the plus side, cinematographer Roger Deakins (Shawshank Redemption, half a dozen Coen Brothers films) means the visuals will be terrific. And what a cast: Holly Hunter, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, and Billy Bob Thornton (yeah, a flake, but a great actor). Those four working together might be able to make an Ed Wood movie resemble Shakespeare. Thornton anchors the story as a remorse-wracked ex-con who dedicates his life to making amends for the murder of a convenience-store clerk, and winds up entangling all four characters’ lives in trying to connect with his victim’s sister (Holly Hunter). We’re betting Levity will float or sink based entirely on Solomon’s untested skill at fashioning drama. Edina 4, 3911 West 50th St., Edina, (952) 926-1621