Finestkind, a new film set against the backdrop of New Bedford and Fairhaven, Mass., is scheduled to debut on Paramount+ on December 15 in the U.S. and Canada, with a global release on December 16. Filmed over 35 days, including 22 in the New Bedford area, the movie features acclaimed actors Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, and Tommy Lee Jones.
The narrative revolves around two brothers, played by Ben Foster and Toby Wallace, whose lives take a dark turn during a fateful summer. Set in the demanding commercial fishing environment, the stakes escalate as the brothers make a perilous deal with a violent Boston crime syndicate. Caught in the chaos is a young woman portrayed by Jenna Ortega, navigating dangerous circumstances. As the story unfolds, sacrifices become inevitable, testing the bonds between brothers, friends, lovers, and a strained father-son relationship portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones.
"Finestkind" explores the life of Charlie, portrayed by Toby Wallace, a recent college graduate with an English degree, who joins his older half brother, Tom, played by Ben Foster, on the commercial fishing boat "Finestkind." Their relationship faces challenges after a work mishap leaves them in desperate need of cash. Tommy Lee Jones adds depth as Tom's cantankerous father, a seasoned fisherman battling health issues.
The movie's authenticity is underscored by its filming locations, spanning the South and North End homes, Fairhaven bridge, Rasputin's Tavern, Hedge Street, Moriarty Liquors, and Union Wharf.
"Finestkind" is directed and written by Brian Helgeland, known for his screenwriting in films like "L.A. Confidential" and "Mystic River," which earned him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie promises a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of familial bonds and the consequences of choices made in challenging circumstances.
