Sundance’s First Outing

The froth on the cappuccinos at the many porta-Starbucks may not be up to full foam yet, but the Sundance Film Festival already has its first acquisition - before the event has even started. Billed as a gay Big Chill, The Broken Hearts Club is director Greg Barlanti's freshman portrayal of relationships between a group of friends. Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group thought it sounded so promising (and so up Miramax's alley) they decided to take no chances. Based on the blurb in the Sundance brochure and a little bit of networking, Columbia TriStar snatched up this little piece of pink promise before it even got out of the celluloid closet at its world premiere on January 28th. The ensemble case may have something to do with the swift move as well. By gathering together sitcom star Thomas Gibson (Dharma & Greg,) up-and-comer Timothy Olyphant, ex-Superman Dean Cain, indie darling Nia Long and Frasier father John Mahoney, face recognition could make up for the admitted stereotypical characterizations. All you acquisitions warriors out there, be warned- there's going to be blood in the Sundance snow this year.