Desperate For Love
| Desperate For Love | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nathan Bowen |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Jasmine Adams |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Emily McCormick |
| Cinematography | Grey Hoy |
| Edited by | Louis Gray |
Production companies | Gran Via Productions |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date | March 3, 2023 |
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | 35 million |
Desperate For Love is a drama/crime film directed by Nathan Bowen and produced by Frank Washington & Kevin Lee Newman. It is scheduled to be released on March 3, 2023 and then distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film depicts the family's hardships and joys while also delving into topics of family values and loss. It explores the life of the protagonist stuck in the crime world trying to save his family name while struggling with his love life and future. With added themes of drama, business, love, and sacrifice, the film emphasizes the strength of love and family values. It demonstrates how circumstances can divide relatives and how courageous gestures of love can reunite them.
Plot
Devin Holyfield finds himself back in the drug ring, a world he previously abandoned, as his family's business suffers a setback. Devin's girlfriend urges him to leave the criminal underworld because she is expecting a child. While his mother is imprisoned, Devin must do whatever it takes to keep his family name alive. Devin encounters a number of challenges, including reuniting with former friends and adversaries. Will he be able to leave the company—and his life—for good?
Production
Desperate For Love is intended to be the first of a new trilogy deal. The film was announced on July 12, 2019, when it was reported Jarquez McClendon and Mariah Winslow would star. Key cast members were reported to have signed on for future films as of December 2021. In December 2021, Mcclendon said he had ideas for developing his character “Devin Holyfield” in further films, while Bowen said Desperate For Love would lay a foundation for future films to build upon. Production began in Los Angeles, California on September 6, 2019 with Mellisa Langford, Allen King and Olivia Coleman joining the cast. In July, it was reported that Bruce Matthews would also star.
Release
Desperate For Love is scheduled to premiere in Los Angeles on March 2, 2023, alongside 350 advance IMAX screenings across the United States. It will be theatrically released in other formats by Warner Bros. Pictures on March 3. The film was initially scheduled to be released on 22 April 2022, but following COVID-19 pandemic, Warner Bros. shifted the release to 16 September 2022. In August 2022, the film's release was pushed back six months later to 3 March 2023, alongside the announcement of the full title. The film is scheduled for availability to stream on HBO Max 45 days after its theatrical debut.
Marketing
On 11 November 2022, a sizzle reel promo will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures as a celebration of the new trilogy. Desperate For Love, also announcing that a full trailer would be released the following Monday. The film official trailer will be officially released on 18 November 2022. A second trailer was announced be releasing on Thursday 15 December 2022 by director Nathan Bowen.
Cast
Jarquez McClendon as Devin Holyfield: A family business owner, and a drug dealer who fight for his restaurant to cope with his trauma past. Devin is around 26 years old and is not yet an experienced drug lord, but will do what’s necessary to restore order for his family reputation. While hindering the lost from his ally mother, whom currently being held in prison.
Mellisa Langford as Macy Ingram: A diner waitress, thief, and a stripper who meets Devin while in the midst of her scandal. Her challenges threatens Devin morals.
Mariah Winslow as Tasha Bridges: A mother, unground drug lord, and a lawyer who’s been in business with Devin dealing drugs. While protecting him and his parties against the law.
Allen King as Lil Penny: A drug lord, nightclub owner, and a informant. He’s a cross town rival for Devin as he control the north side of the city, while working with the FBI to bring down other criminals to expand his operation.
Bruce Matthews as Detective Brown: An ally of Lil Penny in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to help his progress with the drug ring.
Kevin Ferguson as Vick Nolan: A prosecutor whose conflicted by the crimes of the criminals. He’s determined to seek and destroy, to get the streets back clean with lesser crime.
Olivia Coleman as Keisha Watts: A mother, kingpin, and a business owner. While being lock away in prison she finds way to help her son Devin from the inside to ensure that they business is floating correctly. Meanwhile fighting for her freedom daily on the inside.