Tribeca Film Festival: 'Tell-Tale' heart stopper

Edgar Allan Poe, the noted 19th century poet/writer, seems to be coming into fashion again. Not only is he the subject of a fascinating profile in this week's New Yorker, but his Gothic short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" also has inspired "Tell-Tale," a feature film starring Josh Lucas ("Poseidon"). In the short story, a murderer is terrorized by the beating heart of his victim. Those in attendance at Friday night's Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the film witnessed an incident that caused their hearts to thump.

During one of the film's more gruesome sequences, a gentleman in the audience seemed to pass out, a commotion ensued, the film was stopped, and the man was taken out on a stretcher and driven away in an ambulance. Audience members initially suspected that it was a publicity stunt, but people close to the film insisted to me at the after-party that it was anything but.

Poe, who was notoriously sadistic, probably would have loved this.

"Tell-Tale," which was directed by Michael Cuesta and also stars Lena Headey and Brian Cox, is still seeking a domestic distributor.

Photo: Josh Lucas and Lena Headey in "Tell Tale." Credit: Tribeca Film Festival

Comments

[fresno]

As a member of the audience at the TELL TALE Tribeca screening, I never suspected it was a "publicity stunt"; rather, I was concerned for the well-being of the gentleman who had taken ill & relieved that the screening of this stupidly gruesome film was mercifully brought to a halt. A talented cast and production crew was wasted on a script that is pure garbage -- what were they thinking???

[cc]

Sorry you thought it was trash, fresno. Variety has already given it a great review.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940142.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&nid=2577

I feel your pain. It looks like you're going to be in the very slim minority (assuming you went to the screening at all).

[stepchild]

I witnessed the whole thing, and it was definitely not a publicity stunt.The minute the lights when on the director ran over to see if the gentleman was alright. I went to the screening expecting another Michael Cuesta art house piece and was shocked. This film was a huge surprisw. I was amazed as I was drawn to the characters and routing for "Terry" as he became this tortured monster. I do feel bad for the 300 people who thought the film was over after the "incident" and missed out on the biggest payoff. This will fill the appetite of any horror fan, as well as those looking for a great thriller. Plus Ridley Scott was involved....