Updated 11/26 at 2:08 p.m. ET: The trailer above was not released by the studio, and is intended for international use. The domestic trailer has yet to be released.
Original: The first look at “The Last Face” features Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem finding love in West Africa. The trailer, which debuted Wednesday, opens with a voiceover.
“When I thought of him, I was there in a way I wasn’t when I wasn’t thinking of him,” Theron whispers. “I could remember who I was by remembering him.”
The rest of the footage intercuts the two stars avoiding bullets to save lives, and looking longingly into each other’s eyes against the backdrop of Cape Town, where the project was filmed.
Directed by Sean Penn, the film centers on two physicians who have dedicated their lives to helping impoverished people in war-torn parts of the world.
The film was heavily criticized when it screened at the Cannes film festival in May. Some called it the worst movie at the festival while others joked that it may explain the demise of Penn and Theron’s real-life romance.
Variety critic Owen Gleiberman added his voice to the consensus when he wrote in his review, “No matter how ‘well-meaning’ a director may be, there’s something inherently eye-rolling about being asked to care about the tragedy of African children through the POV of two lovelorn glamour pusses.”
Penn responded to the critical wallop by saying, “I stand by the film as it is, and everyone is going to be entitled to their response.”
