Despite the critical and commercial bombing of her last star vehicle, Amelia, Hilary Swank is seemingly having no trouble securing leading roles. The two-time Oscar winner has added Dreams of a Dying Heart to her plate where she will play a soldier returning home from the war.
The script for the film is by House of Sand and Fog scribe Shawn Lawrence Otto. The story focuses on Rachel Watson (Swank) and the strange occurrences she experiences upon her return from Iraq. Lawrence will also make his directorial debut with this feature.
Lawrence was quoted by Screen Daily as saying that, “We’re going to use mind-blowing visuals to tell a unique story of women and combat – which is a perfect fit with Hilary’s very special talent for toughness and vulnerability. A lot of directors focus on the beauty in violence, but there is also an element of violence in beauty. Dreams of a Dying Heart explores both.”
Swank has often been (and perhaps misguidedly) criticized for relying on ‘masculine’ roles in her more dramatic efforts but those charges are rather simplistic attempts take away from her Oscar winning roles. It seems Swank will always be under criticism but perhaps a 3rd nomination will silence some of her critics. It will be interesting to see if this role or the forthcoming Betty Anne Waters will bring the actress back to the Oscars.
The film is being produced by Killer Films, Intandem and Laureate Films.
Are you a fan of Hilary Swank? Does this project sound exciting to you?