New Trailer: ‘Wonder Wheel’ From Woody Allen

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Ahead of its Oct. 15 premiere at the New York Film Festival, Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel” released its first trailer on Wednesday, and it looks to be the peripatetic writer-director’s most New York City-centric movie in years. Set on Coney Island in the 1950s, the drama stars Justin Timberlake as a lifeguard who falls for a mobster’s imperiled wife (Juno Temple).

The ensemble includes James Belushi as the moll’s father, and Kate Winslet as her stepmother. This represents the first collaboration between Mr. Allen and Ms. Winslet, and given his track record of writing Oscar-winning roles for actresses — and her seven previous nominations — she seems likely to emerge as an Academy Award contender.

Of course, you can’t make a Mafia movie without employing some of “The Sopranos” gang, and “Wonder Wheel” reunites Tony Sirico (a.k.a Paulie Walnuts), Steve Schirripa (Bobby Bacala) and Max Casella (Benny Fazio).

The teaser spotlights the impressive period cinematography of Vittorio Storaro (“Apocalypse Now”), a three-time Oscar winner, as well as the production design of the director’s frequent colleague, Santo Loquasto.

“When it comes to love, we often turn out to be our own worst enemy,” Ms. Winslet’s character says. With such a bittersweet take on romance, “Wonder Wheel” appears to be right in Mr. Allen’s wheelhouse. The film will be released commercially on Dec. 1.

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