Manure

When a tragic accident ends the life of Mr. Rose, the genius behind Rose's Manure Company, the livelihood of its loyal fleet of salesmen threatens to go, as they say, into the toilet. Enter estranged daughter Rosemary (Téa Leoni), a high-class- cosmetics salesgirl, who steps in to take control. She is not sure she has a nose for the family business, but she is determined to make foul into profit. Little does she know that a ruthless, slick-talking fertilizer rep (Kyle MacLachlan) is plotting a takeover. Whether she likes it or not, she must trust her top salesman, Patrick Fitzpatrick (Billy Bob Thornton), to devise a plan to regain Rose's rightful position on top of the heap.The Polish brothers have created a wholly original, decidedly irreverent, yet enchantingly classic comic adventure from the 1960s. Sassy dialogue gives Manure flair, but it is the period design with its sepia palate of painted backdrops that conjures up scaffolds and wind machines just off camera. The Polish brothers are complete originals, and their all-star cast stylishly matches their campy hybrid hijinks. Thornton masters just the right tone, while Leoni’s nostalgic throwback performance showcases her unique brand of physical comedy. In the Polish brothers' capable hands, Manure fills the screen with scene after scene of wonderfully rendered, pure cinematic imagination.
CAST
Billy Bob Thornton, Téa Leoni, Kyle MacLachlan

Michael Polish - Mark and Michael Polish burst onto the independent film scene in 1999 with their first feature, Twin Falls Idaho; the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. The Polish brothers were winners at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Seattle Film Festival with their second film, Jackpot (2001). Their next film, Northfork, premiered at Sundance in 2003 and was highly praised by the critics. After completing this "American Dream" trilogy, the brothers wrote a how-to guide for independent directors entitled, The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking. The Astronaut Farmer followed in 2006. This past year the brothers tried to make independent-film history by shooting two films at the same time: Manure and Stay Cool.

Screenings:

Tue. Jan 20 9:30 p.m. - MANUR20CN Eccles Theatre, Park City
Wed. Jan 21 8:30 a.m. - MANUR21LM Library Center Theatre, Park City
Thu. Jan 22 9:00 p.m. - MANUR22SN Screening Room, Sundance Resort
Sat. Jan 24 9:00 p.m. - MANUR24BN Broadway Centre Cinemas VI, SLC