Prolific multi-hyphenate James Franco has yet another film coming out. This time it is not an adaptation of a William Faulkner or Cormac McCarthy novel but rather a biopic of actor Sal Mineo. Mineo is best remembered for co-starring with James Dean in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE before falling into obscurity.
Franco directed SAL back in 2010 but it is just now getting a release courtesy of Tribeca Films. The indie has the look and feel of Franco’s other films but for some reason SAL seems better filmed than the footage we have seen of both AS I LAY DYING and CHILD OF GOD. SAL tackles the same themes as Franco’s other films, namely isolation and homosexuality. He is certainly prolific with his projects, but whether that means they are any good is a different story entirely. Check out the trailer and judge for yourself.
James Franco‘s Sal chronicles the final day in the life of actor Sal Mineo (Val Lauren), 1950s teen idol and an Academy Award® nominee for his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus. Almost two decades later, Mineo is no longer the marquee sensation he had once been — but he has become open about his homosexuality and is finding his way to becoming the actor and director he has always wanted to be. Featuring a magnetic performance by Lauren, Franco’s intimate portrait finds the human details in a larger-than-life Hollywood story.
SAL stars Val Lauren as Sal Mineo. Franco also acts in the film as director Milton Katselas. SAL will be released on iTunes and VOD on October 22, 2013.