Based on the Oscar-winning documentary short, FREEHELD tells the story of a decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel (Julianne Moore), who is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie (Ellen Page). The county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing what any married man or woman would be able to. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells (Michael Shannon) and activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality. You can get your first look at the emotional drama with the trailer below.
Director Peter Sollett (RAISING VICTOR VARGAS) hasn't done much in the way of feature films lately, but this is a film that will undoubtedly serve to be more emotional than his last effort (NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST). Julianne Moore is always kicking ass, and Michael Shannon and Steve Carell look like they're going to have some great on-screen chemistry together. At the very least, Carell seems much more digestible here than his turn in FOXCATCHER. I said it!
FREEHELD will see a limited release on October 2, 2015, with a worldwide release following on October 16th.