Trailer for What Doesn’t Kill You online |

Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo in What Doesnt Kill You. ©2008 Yari Film Group.

Based on events from director Brian Goodman’s life, What Doesn’t Kill You, stars Mark Ruffalo (Brian) and Ethan Hawke (Paulie), as friends who grew up like brothers on the gritty streets of south Boston. They do whatever it takes to survive, living by the code of their dog-eat-dog neighborhood. Petty crimes and misdemeanors grow into more serious offenses and eventually, they fall under sway to organized crime boss Pat Kelly (played by Goodman).

As Brian becomes increasingly lost in a haze of drugs and ‘jobs’, even the love he has for his wife (Amanda Peet) and his children does not seem like it will be enough to redeem him. Meanwhile, Paulie plans “one last heist” but knows it will take both of them to pull it off. How can they escape the only life they know?

What Doesn’t Kill You is directed by Brian Goodman and written by Brian Goodman, Donnie Wahlberg and Paul T. Murray. The film will get a limited release beginning December 12th 2008.

CLICK HERE to watch the exclusive trailer at the L.A. Times blog The Envelope.