Jesse Eisenberg's Holy Rollers Goes To First Independent Pictures

I didn't actually manage to catch Holy Rollers when it premiered at Sundance this year, but give that it's a movie in which Jesse Eisenberg plays a Hasidic Jewish ecstasy dealer, it can't be all bad, right? Now we'll all get the chance to find out, as First Independent Pictures has picked up distribution rights to the film, with plans for a summer release.

In the announcement First Independent President Gary Rubin gave my all-time favorite explanation for the pickup: “We believe in this film. It’s that simple.” The movie also stars Justin Bartha, a.k.a poor sunburned Doug from The Hangover, and Ari Graynor, who has been stealing scenes lately in movies like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Whip It. Below is the full plot synopsis; enough people seemed to like this one at Sundance for me to be very excited to see what Jesse Eisenberg has gotten himself into.

Inspired by actual events, Holy Rollers uses the incredible story of Hasidic Jews smuggling Ecstasy in the late ’90s as a backdrop to examine the difference between faith and “blind” faith.

Sam Gold, an insulated Hasid on the cusp of manhood, is frustrated by the constraints of his beliefs and his father’s poor business decisions. When Sam is presented with an opportunity to make some real money smuggling Ecstasy between Amsterdam and New York, he cautiously accepts it—and quickly finds himself seduced by the allure of the secular world. Caught between life as a smuggler and the path back to God, Sam and his worlds begin to unravel.