IFC Has "Mercy" This Spring

A scene from Patrick Hoelck's "Mercy." Image courtesy of IFC Films.

North American rights to romantic drama "Mercy" by Patrick Hoelck have been picked up by IFC Films, the company said Tuesday. The film, starring writer/producer Scott Caan as well as Wendy Glenn, Troy Garity, Erika Christensen, Alexie Gilmore, John Boyd, Dylan McDermott, Whitney Able and James Caan, will close the 2010 Gen Art Film Festival.

IFC Films' Lizzie Nastro negotiated the pact with Ben Weiss of Paradigm. "Mercy" will open Friday, April 30th at the IFC Center in NYC and Friday, May 7th at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles and be available nationwide on video on demand on Wednesday, April 28th.

The film follows Johnny Ryan (Scott Cann), a successful young romance novelist who doesn't actually believe in love. When he meets the beautiful and mysterious Mercy (Wendy Glenn) at the launch party of his latest book, Johnny’s world is suddenly turned upside down. Shockingly, she is the only major critic who dislikes his book. A cynic by nature, Johnny becomes determined to find the depth that Mercy says he is lacking and, in the process, falls in love. He turns to his father (James Caan) for advice. "Mercy" explores the struggle of maintaining a relationship and the possibility of losing it all.

"More than a few American independent filmmakers have attempted to make films about the nature of love but 'Mercy' actually succeeds," commented IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring in a statement. "It's a beautifully crafted, truly romantic film that is going to get a lot of attention for Patrick Hoelck and continues to showcase the diverse talents of Scott Caan. We're thrilled to be in business with them and look forward to getting this film out to the largest audience possible through all of our platforms."