SORRY, HATERS American Directions

Robin Wright Penn is mesmerizing in Jeff Stanzler’s socio-political, psychological thriller SORRY, HATERS.

Set in New York City and, like many great New York films, it all begins with a cab ride. Ashade (Abdellatif Kechiche), a Muslim cab driver, picks up Phoebe (Robin Wright Penn), a well-to-do professional woman. Although Ashade and Phoebe have nothing in common, each approaches the other with hidden motives. When Phoebe takes an interest in helping Ashade to exonerate his brother, a series of events is set in motion resulting in the revelation of a devastating hidden truth.

With hauntingly familiar scenarios from a post-9 /11 world, and with stunning performances by Robin Wright Penn, Abdellatif Kechiche, Sandra Oh and Josh Hamilton writer/director Stanzler’s (JUMPIN’ AT THE BONEYARD) thoughtful film is a timely and conspicuously cautionary tale of where we are now as a society.