Movies With Butter

In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh, brought partner in crime Collin Farrell with him into his newest dark comedy, Seven Psychopaths. In pursuit of the other six psychos, McDonagh recruited Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken and Tom Waits, rounding the cast out with one Billy Bickle. Named for Travis of Taxi Driver, Billy's played by America's favorite unhinged buddy, Sam Rockwell.

Farrell plays the protagonist: a screenwriter wet with liquor and dry for ideas. Billy is his best friend and while he's earning a reputation for volatility with others, he's all giving and kindness around Marty. It was little surprise then that Martin McDonaugh and his friend Sam Rockwell had similarly warm/fuzzy interactions during the film's press tour.

Seven Psychopaths is a busy flick--and you'd think the makers would be a little tired after juggling so many story lines, but Rockwell, at least, was more excited than overwhelmed by his ample roster of films. Rockwell is in six upcoming features: four in post-production, one in pre-production and the last filming now. The Way, Way Back, about a wayward teen set straight by a park ranger, has the potential to give Rockwell a roll that’s less wacky than we’ve seen of him in the recent past. Better Living Through Chemistry, about a philandering pharmacists, might see Rockwell playing the volatile lover, but A Single Shot, a murder mystery with Rockwell playing a detective, might be next year’s answer to Moon: a film that embraces Rockwell’s multiplicity without forcing him to play bat-shit.

When asked what Mr. McDonagh was looking forward to next, his response was, “Well, I have a script that’s ready to go.” Looking intently at Rockwell, he continued “We should probably talk about that.”

Seven Psychopaths comes out October 12 via CBS Films.

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