Last we heard, back in August, Tim Robbins was returning to directing with spy thriller City Of Lies. Before that however, while the Lies screenplay is still being thrashed out, Robbins has taken on Man Under, a quirky-sounding family drama. Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe Moretz are the stars aboard so far, along with Robbins himself.

The sketchy synopsis available involves an ordinary family whose lives are transformed when their picture forms part of an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Variety suggests an American Beauty / Royal Tenenbaums vibe, although those two films aren't especially similar, so that's not a great deal of help.

If Pfeiffer and Moretz are playing mother and daughter, it'll be the second time in two years after they did the same in Tim Burton's Dark Shadows. No scary creatures in this one, however - or at least we assume not. We'd guess Robbins will be the man of the house, although that title would suggest he's not coping too well.

The Man Under's script is by Ann Cherkis (The Secret), and the producers are Alexandra Milchan, Scott Lambert and Aimee Peyronnet. Negotiations for financing and distribution are currently underway, with shooting presumably starting once that's all in place.