Beautiful trailer for festival hit 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' with Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck

The term "Malick-esque" has been getting thrown around a lot recently, especially in regards to a handful of films making their way through the festival circuit. One film that quickly earned the label, and is perhaps more deserving of it than others, was David Lowery's gorgeous, poetic Ain't Them Bodies Saints. Debuting at Sundance to rave reviews before moving to Cannes for similar treatment, the build to its eventual summer release is here with the release of its first trailer.

All all-around excellent cast is led by Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck as Ruth and Bob, lovers on a crime spree who are apprehended after he is injured in a shootout. Pregnant and alone, Ruth begins to build a different life for herself while Bob sits in prison. Four years later, he escapes and sets out to be reunited with the woman he loves, and to meet the child he's never met. Along the way he runs into some old acquaintances, including an old friend played brilliantly by Nate Parker. Ben Foster gives a smoldering performance as an earnest cop who begins a casual flirtation with Ruth, offering her a glimpse at what her life could be.

It's certainly a film that struck a chord with me, calling it "grand and lyrical" with a "timeless" quality. One look at the trailer and it's easy to understand the comparisons to Terrence Malick's Badlands, but the film stands capably on its own.

Ain't Them Bodies Saints hits theaters on August 16th. You can check out my review here.