"The Road" is coming to a theatre near you.

For all of the critical acclaim that American novelist Cormac McCarthy had has earned over the past twenty-five years, it wasn’t until the Coen brothers put his novel, No Country For Old Men on the screen that he became something of a household name.  Considered by some to be our generation’s William Faulkner, he’s widely regarded as one of America’s top five novelists of our time.  He’s won the National Book award for All the Pretty Horses, the Pulitzer Prize for No Country For Old Men and his apocalyptic saga, The Road.

“The Road” follows a father and son over a period of months across a decimated, post- apocalyptic America.  It’s unclear exactly what happened, but the destruction of civilization is evident by the ruins of all that’s familiar and the absence of wildlife.  Life is a challenge, day to day.  The sky is heavy with ominous dark clouds and probably poisons, in what seems to be a constant, dreary winter. There are few survivors left and this is by no means  Mad Max, for those that wander about in search of food and shelter are either packs of cannibals, or desperate, terrified survivors like McCarthy’s father and son.

The book is terrifying and heart-wrenching. It’s also brilliantly written.  Though a science fiction story at first glance, those who have read the book come away with a broader perspective. For some it’s a cautionary tale with regard to the environment, for others an epic adventure buoyed by a father’s devotion to his son.

The Daily Helping was thrilled to hear that when the film adaptation of The Road was announced, Viggo Mortensen was already attached to the project. It’s been a long time in the making, but the movie is now set for release in the fall.  A theatrical trailer has just come out and though there isn’t really much of a part for the role of wife and mother, it appears as if the part expanded to accommodate the talent of Charlize Theron.

One look at this trailer and you’ll see why this is going to be a movie that has a lot of people talking.  Click below for the official trailer for The Road.