Moviefone Editorial

Tag: True Story

  • ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Interview: Director Gus Van Sant

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    Opening in theaters on January 16th is the new crime thriller ‘Dead Man’s Wire‘, which is based on a true story and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gus Van Sant (‘My Own Private Idaho’ and ‘Good Will Hunting’).

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    The film stars Bill Skarsgård (‘Nosferatu‘), Dacre Montgomery (‘Power Rangers‘), Cary Elwes (‘The Princess Bride‘), Myha’la (‘Dumb Money‘), Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing‘), and Oscar winner Al Pacino (‘The Godfather‘).

    (L to R) Al Pacino and director Gus Van Sant attend Row K’s 'Dead Man’s Wire' Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
    (L to R) Al Pacino and director Gus Van Sant attend Row K’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove AMC on January 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with iconic filmmaker Gus Van Sant about his work on ‘Dead Man’s Wire’, his first reaction to the unusual screenplay, creating the specific look of the film, casting Bill Skarsgård, directing the legendary Al Pacino, and the importance of the music in the movie.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Van Sant, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes and Myha’la.

    Related Article: Moviefone’s 25 Best Movies of 2025: The Definitive Ranking

    'Dead Man's Wire' director Gus Van Sant.
    ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ director Gus Van Sant.

    Moviefone: To begin with, I understand that the script came with links to actual news footage from the true story that the movie is based on. Can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and how the real footage helped you envision how you wanted to make this film?

    Gus Van Sant: Yeah, there were actual links to footage, which had been posted to YouTube. You could hear the real Tony Kiritsis talking to the police for the first time when he was in the middle of kidnapping his mortgage broker in 1977. Then there was also the footage of them walking across town with the dead man’s wire rig attached to his captive and the police following them, and the drive to his house in the police car that he commandeers. All these things were peppered throughout the script so you could get a very strong sense of the event, the demands, and the final Press conference that they have was also in the hyperlinks. I mean, it helped just envision what you thought of the actual event. You know, it was complete, true footage of the actual event. So, from there, you had a lot of information. It helped me visually because it was set in the ‘70s and all the little parts of the visuals were in some of the footage that was part of the script. You could see the real people, the real police, the real Indianapolis locations, the real cars that they were driving and the real apartment exterior, not the interior of the apartment. But that was the atmosphere you could see. It just affected everything about bringing it to life for us in Louisville, Kentucky, which wasn’t Indianapolis (where the true story took place).

    (L to R) Dacre Montgomery as Richard 'Dick' Hall and Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in 'Dead Man's Wire'. Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    (L to R) Dacre Montgomery as Richard ‘Dick’ Hall and Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in ‘Dead Man’s Wire’. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    MF: The film itself looks like a movie that would have been released in the 1970s, at the time that the story takes place. Can you talk about how you achieved that specific look?

    GVS: It was all the different departments working together. Our production designer, our costumer and whoever else was involved in the look, the DP, his crew, the lighting personnel, they were all queuing off photographs of the period. In my case, I was I was glued to photography by William Eggleston, who shot photographs in Memphis, Tennessee, which is nearby. I mean, part of that Midwest feel and the colors within that, and our DP, was interested in the movie ‘Klute’. Visually, he thought it had a lot to do with what we wanted to be doing. The original photography that was in the documentaries had a greenish color to it, which was interesting, that we liked. We were trying to keep away from maybe things we’d seen that resemble the ‘70s, which are browns that I felt weren’t really representing the ‘70s well, because there was a lot of color back there. I mean, it just all came together, everyone together in unison, not really knowing, because you’re always striving to have this fantastic result and hopefully you get there, but we’re always working in the dark, sort of.

    Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in 'Dead Man's Wire'. Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in ‘Dead Man’s Wire’. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    MF: Can you talk about casting Bill Skarsgård and what he brought to the role of Tony Kiritsis?

    GVS: Bill was, to me, sort of a man of a thousand faces. He had done roles that sometimes were very similar, like “The Crow’ or he was in ‘Boy Kills World’, which was possibly a similar character, yet quite different. He made them quite different. His performance in ‘It’ was a big one. He showed me some things that he had done in Europe that weren’t as extreme characters and more like him being almost himself, that I got to see, which I hadn’t seen. He seemed like the guy for a job like this. Like, almost in, I want to say, a Peter Sellers way. He could transform himself.

    Al Pacino in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    Al Pacino in ‘Dead Man’s Wire.’ Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    MF: What was your experience like directing the legendary Al Pacino? Had you ever met him before working with him on this project?

    GVS: I hadn’t met him. I had seen him at a party, but I hadn’t ever met him and spoke to him before. He had done a film with Harmony Korine, where Harmony was playing a character in a smaller project that Al was the lead in and he was working in a junk shop, I think. Our first meeting was really on the phone talking about the whole story and the part his character played in it, and he had a desire to make it a little bigger, which we attempted to do. Austin (Kolodney) wrote some extra stuff. We did do rehearsals with Al and Dacre and Bill together for the phone calls. It was all quite exciting because when Bill’s in character he’s quite crazy and wild. So, it affected Al. He realized, “Oh, we’re in the real thing now.” Which he’s of course used to, but these guys could deliver it. So, working with him was great. I mean, it was fast. We had one day to shoot all his scenes, but it was a lot of fun.

    Colman Domingo in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    Colman Domingo in ‘Dead Man’s Wire.’ Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    MF: Finally, music plays an important role in this movie, as it does in all your films. Can you talk about your musical choices, and mixing specific songs from the period with contemporary music?

    GVS: The DJ concept was very interesting because I felt like I had listened to the radio in the ‘60s, not ‘70s, but it was a very important New York area experience, where the counterculture of the ‘60s was present in the DJs. So, they were on your side, and they were playing, now it’s classic rock, but at the time it was like extended rock and roll. So, you’d have songs that were like 10 minutes long with guitar solos and so forth. Because Colman Domingo was able to play the part, there was a DJ that I really liked on WNEW in New York named Rosko (William Roscoe Mercer). You can find his shows on YouTube today. So, I sent some of those shows to Colman and he was playing songs that were backgrounds to poetry that he would read over the songs. The poetry was mostly about the Vietnam War and about gladiators and the trials of that period. They were very emotional, very dramatic and very political. So, we used Colman’s character to have that vibe and have that idea, as opposed to the reality of the real DJ, who was more of a newscaster. So, we kind of took liberty with that character to give him color, and to give the DJ more of a voice in the whole thing, because he does end up brokering the whole story.

    (L to R) Dacre Montgomery and Bill Skarsgard in 'Dead Man's Wire.' Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    (L to R) Dacre Montgomery and Bill Skarsgard in ‘Dead Man’s Wire.’ Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    What is the plot of ‘Dead Man’s Wire’?

    The film is inspired by the 1977 Indianapolis hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård) and centers on the escalation of a public confrontation shaped by negotiation, media attention, and law enforcement response.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Dead Man’s Wire’?

    • Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis
    • Dacre Montgomery as Richard Hall
    • Cary Elwes as Detective Michael Grable
    • Myha’la as Linda Page
    • Colman Domingo as Fred Temple
    • Al Pacino as M.L. Hall
    • John Robinson as John the Cameraman
    • Kelly Lynch as Mabel Hall
    'Dead Man's Wire' opens in theaters on January 16th. Photo: Row K Entertainment.
    ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ opens in theaters on January 16th. Photo: Row K Entertainment.

    List of Movies Directed by Gus Van Sant:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Gus Van Sant movies and TV on Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘Last Breath’

    (L to R) Finn Cole stars as Chris Lemons, Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allcock and Simu Liu as Dave Yuasa 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Mark Cassar / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Finn Cole stars as Chris Lemons, Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allcock and Simu Liu as Dave Yuasa ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Mark Cassar / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    ‘Last Breath’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in theaters February 28th is ‘Last Breath,’ directed by Alex Parkinson and starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis, Mark Bonnar, Myanna Buring, and Bobby Rainsbury.

    Related Article: Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olson Talk Basketball Comedy ‘Champions’

    Initial Thoughts

    Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock in 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock in ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    ‘Last Breath’ is part of a curious phenomenon – which mostly seems to exist on Netflix – in which a documentary about a real-life incident or series of events is followed by a fictional limited series or movie about the same subject (or vice versa). ‘Last Breath,’ out this week from Focus Features, is a narrative feature remake of the 2019 documentary of the same name, with one of the doc’s directors, Alex Parkinson, handling the same duties for the feature (he co-directed the doc with Richard da Costa).

    The true story is a harrowing one – in which a deep-sea saturation diver was stranded in hundreds of feet of water with no oxygen for 29 minutes – but Parkinson’s feature is curiously lacking in tension or the kind of character development necessary for an audience to get fully involved in the story. It attempts in part to make up for that with a bombastic, intrusive score from Paul Leonard-Morgan, which does its best to make the viewer think they’re watching hugely dramatic moments, and it’s got two solid leads in Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu, but the movie feels flat and, at just 93 minutes, oddly brief and inconsequential.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Actor Simu Liu and crew members on the set of 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Jon Borg / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Actor Simu Liu and crew members on the set of ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Jon Borg / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    We’re not here to downplay in any way the experience that deep sea diver Chris Lemons (played here by British ‘Peaky Blinders’ actor Finn Cole) went through in 2012. In the movie, as in real life, he and fellow diver Dave Yuasa (Simu Liu) are carrying out repairs at an underwater pipeline juncture more than 300 feet below the surface of the North Sea.

    With team leader Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson) in the diving bell and the two divers in the water, their ship the Bibby Topaz is buffeted by heavy storm winds and dragged off its location as its computerized positioning system fails, causing Lemons’ umbilical tether to snap and leave him with no fresh air (or heliox, a mix of helium and oxygen) to breathe.

    With only eight minutes of air left in his backup supply, Lemons – in the dark as his suit’s power has also failed – must find his way to the pipeline and climb to the top of its supporting structure if there is to be any chance that he can be spotted by the ship’s underwater camera, so that Yuasa can return and rescue him.

    Meanwhile, the ship’s crew above is trying to repair its positioning system so that it can get back over the precise location. In the end, Lemons loses consciousness after his air runs out and is trapped for some 29 minutes without anything to breathe – leaving his fate uncertain as his friends and crewmates desperately try to save him.

    (L to R) Actors Simu Liu, Woody Harrelson and Finn Cole with director Alex Parkinson on the set of their film 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Mark Cassar / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Actors Simu Liu, Woody Harrelson and Finn Cole with director Alex Parkinson on the set of their film ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Mark Cassar / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Before all this plays out, however, ‘Last Breath’ takes us through the pre-game of the ship’s mission, which includes, most fascinatingly, the deep-sea crew living in a large capsule for several days to get used to the pressurization underwater. But even that, as well as the teammates’ interactions, is presented in surprisingly humdrum fashion, while the characters themselves get only some perfunctory fleshing-out. We know that Chris loves his fiancé Morag (Bobby Rainsbury, glimpsed in the opening and closing of the film), that Duncan is being asked to retire under protest, and that Yuasa is a seemingly cold-hearted son of a bitch who nonetheless loves his kids.

    When the main event finally occurs, Parkinson runs into trouble making it as suspenseful as it could be, relying more on that deafening score to push the story along. There are, to be sure, moments of true terror, as when Lemons first loses his connection to the diving bell and the ship and finds himself surrounded by utter darkness, not even knowing that the pipeline is just a few yards behind him. The initial assault of the storm is unsettling as well, and Yuasa’s difficult, climactic climb up the diving bell tether, dragging what could well be Lemons’ corpse under him, makes for a tense few minutes as well.

    But the whole thing feels curiously small for a feature film, especially since Lemons’ accident and rescue all essentially take place in under an hour. While that is more than enough to leave his fate deeply uncertain, the relative brevity of the film’s narrative combined with the murky cinematography and paucity of character work make ‘Last Breath’ seem more perfunctory than clearly intended.

    Cast and Performances

    Simu Liu stars as Dave Yuasa in 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Simu Liu stars as Dave Yuasa in ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    ‘Last Breath’ is clearly bolstered by the presence of Harrelson and Liu, both thankfully avoiding attempts at British accents by playing slightly fictionalized versions of their characters. Harrelson can do the role of Allcock in his sleep – the grizzled veteran full of wisdom and war stories – but he’s also mostly passive in the film, as he sits in the diving bell while Lemons and Yuasa are the focus of the action below and the ship’s crew the center of the drama above.

    Liu is formidable and steely as Dave Yuasa, probably giving the film’s best performance – while ironically having the least to say. Yet there is something in his presence and silence that radiates both authority and cynicism, along with a slight touch of fatalism that is probably inherent in this kind of dangerous work. The one moment when he lets his guard down at the end – as he silently gazes at a photo of his children – is also a nice moment of minimalism on his part.

    Finn Cole is fine but rather bland as Lemons, who is also sidelined for much of the film’s second half. On board the ship we have the always great Cliff Curtis as the captain, along with sturdy character actors Myanna Buring and Mark Bonnar as his bridge officers, but aside from their welcome appearance there’s little insight into their characters.

    Final Thoughts

    Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock in 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock in ‘Last Breath’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    ‘Last Breath’ falls squarely in the tradition of movies about a collective human spirit battling adversity, and there’s no question that the efforts of the ship’s crew and Chris Lemons’ diving teammates were courageous and humane without compare. All are resolute in bringing Lemons back whether he’s dead or alive, and refuse to leave him down in the dark depths no matter what his ultimate fate is.

    But ‘Last Breath’ doesn’t quite capture the emotion and tension of those events because of its prosaic pacing and handling, and even the most mysterious and intriguing part of the story – what ultimately happens to Lemons – is casually delivered at the end, although to be fair it’s difficult to say whether that aspect of the story can be visualized properly. Even with its terrific cast and intermittently gripping moments, ‘Last Breath’ never quite gives this tale – pardon the pun – room to breathe.

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    What is the plot of ‘Last Breath’?

    When a deep-sea diver (Finn Cole) becomes trapped hundreds of feet below the surface during a storm, his two teammates (Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu) and the crew of their ship race against time and the elements to save him before he runs out of oxygen.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Last Breath’?

    • Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allcock
    • Simu Liu as Dave Yuasa
    • Finn Cole as Chris Lemons
    • Cliff Curtis as Captain Andre Jenson
    • Mark Bonnar as Craig
    • Myanna Buring as Hanna
    • Bobby Rainsbury as Morag
    'Last Breath' opens in theaters on February 28th.
    ‘Last Breath’ opens in theaters on February 28th.

    Movies Similar to ‘Last Breath:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Last Breath’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Woody Harrelson Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Unstoppable’

    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    ‘Unstoppable’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in theaters on December 6th before arriving on Prime Video January 16th, ‘Unstoppable’ is just the latest challenger to enter the ring of sports biopics that take inspirational stories of overcoming big challenges with a charismatic real-life figure at their heart.

    Unfortunately in this case, the movie also comes burdened with the sort of factory-tooled reverence and seen-them-all-before beats, never quite overcoming that baseline feel.

    Related Article: Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles Talk Sports Drama ‘Unstoppable’

    Will ‘Unstoppable’ wrestle your attention?

    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Anthony Robles’ story is certainly one worthy of the biopic treatment –– a young sportsman who already overcame the challenges of being born with just one leg, who applies himself with determination and grace to a difficult sporting arena.

    And his is also one of personal struggles, facing a difficult step-father and a family forever in financial poor straights barely kept together by their passionate mother. Trouble is, it’s a story we’ve seen and heard many times before and to stand out from the crowd, it has to receive truly special, thoughtful treatment.

    In ‘Unstoppables’ case it feels more like the filmmakers took the very basic formula, slapped on the standard reverent music and homilies from characters around Anthony, and said, “will that do?”

    It does at least boast two big advantages in the committed performances from stars Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) William Goldenberg (Director) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (L to R) William Goldenberg (Director) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    It took three screenwriters –– Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman to adapt Robles’ book ‘Unstoppable: From Underdog To Undefeated: How I Became A Champion,’ written with Austin Murphy. It’s perhaps not surprising that the movie has been through a couple of different variations, but you’d somehow hope that with different people working on it, there might have been some more invention handed down during that process.

    Which is not to say ‘Unstoppable’ has a bad screenplay, it’s simply a painfully straightforward one. Though we’re not expecting the wild invention of, say, ‘Better Man’ (in which British musician Robbie Williams’ life is brought to life via a CG chimp), ‘Unstoppable’ is simply a very pedestrian telling of the tale.

    And despite an impactful central story, it feels the need to invent extra drama, such as a shutdown of the Arizona State wrestling program that in reality lasted for a much shorter time than the months shown here.

    Director William Goldenberg has mostly worked as an editor on movies such as ‘Argo’ and ‘Heat,’ but his helming debut carries little of the energy of the films he has contributed to in the past. Again, it’s not a badly made film, just a very average one.

    ‘Unstoppable’: Performances

    Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez are the shining stars of this one, largely carrying the film, though a talented supporting cast does what they can with basic roles.

    Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles

    Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Jerome is excellent here as Anthony, bringing the full force of the real-life athlete’s drive to the screen. He’s got real power, both in the wrestling ring (those scenes are certainly helped by the actual Robles standing in during most of those scenes to make sure the sport comes across accurately) and he also shines in the domestic scenes.

    Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles

    (L to R) Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (L to R) Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Robles’ caring dedicated and spirited mother is the other key role in the movie, and Lopez gives it her all, whether dealing with her mercurial, unstable husband or fighting back against the predatory banks who control her home’s mortgage. Lopez is better here than in some other recent movies, handed more to chew on.

    Bobby Cannavale as Rick Robles

    (L to R) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) and Bobby Cannavale (Rick Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (L to R) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) and Bobby Cannavale (Rick Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Rick, Anthony’s stepfather (who in one particularly passive-aggressively cruel moment reminds the young Anthony of that fact that he’s not his real dad) is a boorish prison warden, who is as unreliable as he is outspoken.

    Cannavale does what he can with the part, but there’s not much meat on that bonehead.

    Don Cheadle as Coach Shawn Charles

    Don Cheadle (Coach Shawn Charles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Don Cheadle (Coach Shawn Charles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    As the coach at Arizona State, Cheadle’s character is mostly a collection of encouraging catchphrase and wise lessons about life. While this isn’t The Coach Charles Story, you do wish the film could have found one other layer to offer, though it does give him a solid moment when he admits the wrestling program has been ditched, the rest of his scenes you could probably write having not seen the movie.

    Michael Peña as Coach Williams

    Michael Peña in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Michael Peña in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Peña, if anything, has even less to do than Cheadle, with just a few scenes in which to make an impact.

    Final Thoughts

    Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    ‘Unstoppable’ is a perfectly meritorious film with a superb real-life story at its core. It’s just that while the movie wouldn’t exist without Robles’ impactful story, it still comes across looking like 20 other sports biopics.

    Between this and ‘The Fire Inside’ it might be time for inspirational sports dramas to hit the benches for now.

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    What is the plot of ‘Unstoppable’?

    With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Unstoppable’?

    • Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles
    • Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles
    • Bobby Cannavale as Rich
    • Michael Peña as Bobby Williams
    • Don Cheadle as Sean Charles
    • Shawn Hatosy as Tom Brands
    (Left) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (Left) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Other Jharrel Jerome Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Jennifer Lopez Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Unstoppable’ Interview: Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles

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    Opening in theaters on December 6th before premiering on Prime Video January 16th is the new sports drama ‘Unstoppable’, which is based on the true story of 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion Anthony Robles.

    Marking the directorial debut of Oscar winning editor William Goldenberg (‘Argo’), the film stars Jharrel Jerome (‘Moonlight’) as Robles, as well as Jennifer Lopez (‘Hustlers’), Bobby Cannavale (‘Motherless Brooklyn’), Michael Peña (‘The Martian’), and Don Cheadle (‘Iron Man 3’).

    Related Article: Jennifer Coolidge and Cheech Marin Talk Prime Video’s ‘Shotgun Wedding’

    (L to R) Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles talk 'Unstoppable'.
    (L to R) Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles talk ‘Unstoppable’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles about their work on ‘Unstoppable’, what it means to Jerome personally to tell Robles incredible true story, working with the accomplished cast of actors, and Robles’ experience having a movie made about his life.

    You can watch the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Jharrel, what has it meant to you personally to have the opportunity to meet Anthony and tell his story on screen and as an actor, what was the most challenging aspect of this project for you?

    Jharrel Jerome: I mean, this project I think is the most important thing I’ve done up until now in my life, especially because I’ve been involved with this for five years now. I met Anthony back in 2019. I just turned 22, I’m 27 now. So, this has become larger than life. This has become larger than my career, and this isn’t just a role I approached. This was a life-changing experience for me, all the way down to my physicality, which in turn leads to my mental health and my self-care, how I communicate, and how I speak. That all just comes from observing Anthony, I promise you, you can’t be in a room with this guy for 10 minutes and not want to go lift some weights or go try something new in life. That’s just the power he holds. It’s not often you get to do a role that truly changes you the way this did. So, I’m grateful, very grateful.

    (L to R) Director William Goldenberg, Anthony Robles and Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (L to R) Director William Goldenberg, Anthony Robles and Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    MF: Anthony, what is it like having a movie made about your own life and did you have any advice for Jharrel about playing you when starting this project?

    Anthony Robles: The experiences, it was just exciting and terrifying going through it because your whole story’s being told, not just the happy moments, it’s the painful moments as well that are going to be shared. So, finding that balance of everything and just finding a group of people that would respect my family and the struggles that we went through and portray it in the way to where we could say, “Yeah, we’re okay. We’re proud of sharing this because this is our story.” So, to see the finished product now, I’m very excited. I’m very proud of it and happy with how it turned out because I can honestly say that is our story up there. As far as giving Jharrel advice, honestly, I really didn’t have to give him advice. As he mentioned, we met back in 2019, so we just developed this friendship and this brotherhood. For him, he was just focused on those little details about me. I didn’t even realize that. I’m just living my life. I’m just hanging out. I’m just having fun with my friends, and he’s observing these things as we’re going throughout the process. So, it was neat for me to be able to sit back on set and just really know and trust that Jharrel, he was going to take care of business out there. He made me proud, and I just trusted him 100% with my story and sharing from my perspective.

    (L to R) Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    (L to R) Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    MF: Finally, Jharrel, you are surrounded by an excellent cast that includes Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Michael Peña and Bobby Cannavale, just to name a few. What was it like for you to get to work with them and what did you learn from watching the way they work?

    JJ: I mean, it’s a dream come true. When I got the call, I had mixed feelings. Half of me was very excited and thinking this is going to be an honor. But the other half was, I was terrified, especially when I heard about Don. This is somebody I hold to a very high standard as an actor and hope to emulate his path as an actor. So, it kind of made me up my ante. It kind of gave me an aggressive edge and a push that I needed. As for what I learned from them, it wasn’t specific. The way Don can live in the character as if he’s lived in his whole life, it’s so impressive to me. Then the way Jen can shut off the mega stardom and the world and just zone in and focus. Michael and Bobby’s approach to taking a one-dimensional sort of character and putting elements to it, it’s just incredible. It makes you just want to continue to work with top-tier actors and it just ups your game.

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    What is the plot of ‘Unstoppable’?

    With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Unstoppable’?

    • Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles
    • Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles
    • Bobby Cannavale as Rich
    • Michael Peña as Bobby Williams
    • Don Cheadle as Sean Charles
    • Shawn Hatosy as Tom Brands
    Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) in 'Unstoppable'. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
    Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.

    Other Jharrel Jerome Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Jennifer Lopez Movies on Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘September 5’

    Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5', the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5’, the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Opening in theaters December 13th is ‘September 5,’ directed by Tim Fehlbaum and starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch, Corey Johnson, Georgina Rich, Zinedine Soualem, and Benjamin Walker.

    Related Article: ‘Reacher’ Actress Willa Fitzgerald Talks Watergate Comedy ’18 ½’

    Initial Thoughts

    Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard) in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5,' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard) in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5,’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    We take the idea of “breaking news” almost for granted now; the slogan is overused to the point that it’s almost laughable when a cable news network flashes “breaking news” on its chyron every time a politician drops a fork or ties their shoe. Yet “breaking news” wasn’t nearly as ubiquitous in 1972 as it is now, and ‘September 5’ recounts the tragic, tense story of how a terrorist act at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich changed not just the world, but broadcast journalism itself.

    Working on basically one set, and cannily mixing archival footage of the real events with his fictional recreation, Swiss filmmaker Tim Fehlbaum spells out with great detail and precision how the ABC Sports team covering the Summer Olympics in Munich abruptly find themselves the world’s conduit to a scene of increasing dread. As a Palestinian terrorist group takes nine members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage within the village built for the athletes competing at the event, the crew and reporters must focus on getting the story right – and out to the world – as they face increasing challenges, including the dispensing of information itself. While ‘September 5’ doesn’t delve too deeply into the politics of the situation – which some may find a point of contention – the focus is more on the importance of journalism and how professionalism, accuracy, and speed must all find the right balance with morality and decency, while lives hang in the balance.

    Story and Direction

    Director Tim Fehlbaum on the set of Transmission room in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5,' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Director Tim Fehlbaum on the set of Transmission room in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5,’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    “We follow the story no matter where it takes us.”

    On September 5, 1972, those words hang hauntingly over ABC Sports president Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), broadcast producer Geoff Mason (John Magaro), and head of operations Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin). In the early morning hours, members of a Palestinian militant group called Black September invade the Olympic village where the athletes are staying and take nine members of the Israeli Olympic squad hostage, while killing two others. German authorities have their hands tied by the country’s post-Nazi reforms, and government officials soon become evasive about their efforts to neutralize the crisis. With the terrorists and their victims ensconced in one of the Israelis’ apartments, Arledge, Mason, and their team – ABC being the exclusive on-site broadcast network for the Olympics – quickly pivot from their usual routine of covering swim and track events to chronicling a breaking news story that grips the entire world.

    Quandaries ranging from the technological to the ethical face them every step of the way. A fight ensues with CBS over the use of precious satellite time (networks didn’t have nearly the resources available today). On-site reporters like Peter Jennings (Benjamin Walker) grapple with how close to get to the center of the crisis. And in one harrowing moment, the team realizes that the kidnappers themselves might be watching on TV as a rescue team attempts a stealth incursion into the apartment building, with ABC cameras tracking them. Beyond all that, bigger questions arise: how much do they show? How do they know they’re getting the story right? That latter dilemma plays out all too disastrously near the end of the crisis, as initial reports that the hostages have been freed from a bus taking them and their captors to the airport turn out to be horribly, heartbreakingly wrong.

    Geoff Mason (John Magaro) stars in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5,' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Geoff Mason (John Magaro) stars in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5,’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    All this takes place, for the most part, in the ABC Sports broadcast control center, a small cramped room with a wall of TV screens on one side and a warren of even smaller, darker offices on the other. There’s not a lot of room there, and Fehlbaum captures the sweaty, smoky claustrophobia of the place while almost never cutting away from it. As massive as the events of ‘September 5’ are, they are all seen through the grimy lens of this single location, which in its own way focuses the story and the tension as Mason, Arledge, and their team – including an unassuming yet efficient German interpreter named Marianne (Leonie Benesch) who becomes integral to their actions – respond minute by minute, sometimes second by second, to the drama that is happening practically next door to them. The actual footage of ABC anchor Jim McKay and some of the events caught on camera on the day add to the film’s sense of realism and immediacy.

    The calm neutrality of the news team plays a role in centering the drama, but creates some moral questions for the film as well. ‘September 5’ tries to stay above the politics of the situation, like the news team itself, but it becomes an elephant in the room both for the characters and the film we’re watching – especially in today’s climate. Likewise, some aspects of living and working in the 1970s are addressed almost perfunctorily, as if to get them out of the way and move on, leading to a few awkward moments. One member of the team brings up his Algerian heritage in a nod toward an outburst of racism, while Marianne is asked to “go get coffee, honey” by one of the ABC Sports technicians. Fehlbaum is so intent on telling his main story – and getting in and out in 90 succinct minutes – that either he absently overlooks these issues to stay on his main objective or purposely does so to mirror the circumstances in the control room, where no one has time for arguments.

    The Cast

    (L to R) Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), Hank Hanson (Corey Johnson), Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford), Gladys Deist (Georgina Rich), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) star in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), Hank Hanson (Corey Johnson), Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford), Gladys Deist (Georgina Rich), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    This is a true ensemble piece in every sense of the word, but the four main players are all fantastic in their roles. Peter Sarsgaard brings the same steely yet quiet resolve to the role of Roone Arledge – evolving into the legendary TV figure he later became – that he brought to the part of New Republic editor Charles Lane in 2003’s ‘Shattered Glass.’ A moment when he shouts at German police to get the hell out of his TV studio is bracing and even electrifying. Sarsgaard also effectively portrays Arledge’s inner conflict – he must lead from an ethical journalistic viewpoint, while knowing in an amoral sense that this is a huge career opportunity for him. Ben Chaplin, the sturdy British character actor who has been seen infrequently on the big screen in recent years, gives Marvin Bader gravitas as the conscience and moral center for both Arledge and John Magaro’s Geoff Mason.

    Speaking of which, it’s Magaro’s portrayal of Mason, as well as Leonie Benesch’s work as Marianne Gebhardt, that are the standouts of ‘September 5.’ Following his excellent turn as Greta Lee’s husband in 2023’s ‘Past Lives,’ Magaro is riveting here as Mason, who keeps his calm and professional demeanor despite the emotional and mental turmoil and stress roiling him from all sides. Mason is simply a man who rises to the occasion in front of him, with little fuss and no complaining, and makes potentially historic decisions at a moment’s notice as he produces 22 solid hours of coverage of the events unfolding just a few hundred feet from his control room. It’s a masterfully quiet performance from Magaro that brims with authenticity.

    Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5,' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5,’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Although her character is a composite, Benesch – so vivid in 2023’s ‘The Teacher’s Lounge’ – is also understated yet determined as Marianne, the German interpreter who becomes an integral part of the team’s ongoing coverage and even becomes a reporter herself at a moment’s notice. Unassuming yet forthright, Marianne is rocked by what’s happening in the midst of her country – not three decades after it was the scourge of the world and desperate to reform its image – yet never lets herself slip on the job. While the Oscars will no doubt look at other performances in other films for their acting categories, ‘September 5’ should be a lock for a Best Ensemble nod at the Screen Actors Guild Awards next year.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin) and Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard star in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5,' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin) and Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5,’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    ‘September 5’ is as riveting a drama about journalism as ‘Spotlight’ or ‘All the President’s Men,’ two classics that it can proudly sit next to. Only, of course, while both those films end in a sort of victory for the reporters involved, ‘September 5’ does no such thing (that’s no spoiler – look up the historical facts yourself). And that’s also a lesson of the film – that, as quoted above, the people involved must follow the story even if it leads to an ending no one wants to believe.

    Ultimately this is a movie about getting to the truth, getting it right, and getting the job done, a theme that many of today’s broadcast journalists seem to often forget in their rush to obtain access or burnish their own on-air image. It’s also about the ethics of journalism, knowing what to show and when to show it, and also determining the right course of action during a crisis of unprecedented importance to both world events and the state of broadcast journalism itself. That Tim Fehlbaum and his cast manage to delineate that clearly and with the rising tension of a thriller is a remarkable achievement in itself. But above all, the stakes for the hostages are unspeakably, tragically grave, and ‘September 5’ never lets us forget that.

    ‘September 5’ receives 9.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘September 5’?

    At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, the ABC Sports broadcasting team is forced to pivot to real-time breaking news coverage as terrorists take the Israeli athletic team hostage and set an excruciating series of events in motion.

    Who is in the cast of ‘September 5’?

    • Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge
    • John Magaro as Geoffrey Mason
    • Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader
    • Leonie Benesch as Marianne Gebhardt
    • Zinedine Soualem as Jacques Lesgards
    • Corey Johnson as Hank Hanson
    • Georgina Rich as Gladys Deist
    • Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings
    (L to R) Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford) star in Paramount Pictures’ 'September 5' the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford) star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘September 5’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘September 5’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Peter Sarsgaard on Amazon

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  • ‘The Last Rifleman’ Exclusive Interview: Pierce Brosnan

    Pierce Brosnan in 'The Last Rifleman'. Photo: Sky Cinema.
    Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Last Rifleman’. Photo: Sky Cinema.

    Opening in theaters and available on VOD beginning November 8th is the new drama ‘The Last Rifleman’, which is based on a true story, and was directed by Terry Loane (‘Mickybo and Me’). The movie stars acclaimed actor Pierce Brosnan (‘GoldenEye’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’), as well as Jürgen Prochnow (‘Beverly Hills Cop II’) and the late John Amos (‘Coming to America’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Pierce Brosnan about his work on ‘The Last Rifleman’, his first reaction to the screenplay, the journey his character goes on and the people he meets along the way, working with the late John Amos, the guilt his character has over losing his wife and his best friend, playing a character in their nineties, and what Brosnan still wants to accomplish in his life before his time runs out.

    Related Article: Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan Starring in Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Associate’

    (L to R) Pierce Brosnan and Samuel Bottomley in 'The Last Rifleman'. Photo: Sky Cinema.
    (L to R) Pierce Brosnan and Samuel Bottomley in ‘The Last Rifleman’. Photo: Sky Cinema.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and why you wanted to be a part of this project?

    Pierce Brosnan: I wanted to be a part of it for the memory of the men, the young men who went to war all those years back in time. I wanted to work with Terry Loane, who I’ve tried to work with before. I wanted to go back to Ireland to make this movie and be part of such a production and such a story, to capture something that had a poignancy and a memory of pain and suffering and a lament for the loss of life, loss to the barbarity of war and the barbarity of war that haunts a man and still lives with us today. I thought it was beautifully rendered and I thought it was even more poignant that it came from the essence of a story that had a truth to it.

    MF: Can you talk about the journey that Artie goes on and the incredibly kind strangers that he meets along the way that help him on his journey?

    PB: Well, I think the essence of his being is kindness, and I thought it was a wonderful road movie, and I was surrounded by such great performers. To go back to my homeland, to go back to Ireland, to discover a part of my homeland, the north of Ireland, which I fell in love with, the people, the landscape, they’ve had a deep poignancy for me.

    John Amos in 'The West Wing'. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
    John Amos in ‘The West Wing’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    MF: You have a fantastic scene with the late actor John Amos. What was it like working with him and having him as a scene partner?

    PB: Oh, John, I have the greatest love and fondness of memory for him. He is a man that I had seen over the years of being an actor myself and living in Los Angeles and coming to America in early 1982 and finding a life and a career, and discovering all these wonderful actors who have great stories of character. To be an entertainer, to be an actor, to be in the public eye, to be on the stage for so many years like John was, and then to sit in his company, along with his son, it had, again, a very meaningful memory for me. We got on famously. I also had my mother on the shoot with me and my wife, Keely. So, it was a joy to have my family with me and to share this charming road movie of a story. So, John was great. Lovely voice, lovely man, kindhearted, and a joy to be with.

    MF: Can you talk about the love and guilt that Artie carries for both his late wife Maggie, and his friend Charlie, who was lost in WWII?

    PB: Yes. Well, we do as humans carry so many regrets and misfortunes that some of us never heal from. Maggie suffers from dementia, which is such a cruel plight on our humanity. They had such a love, and the torment and the pain and the sacrifice of war, and that moment of hesitation and the battle in the fury of war where you freeze, and you must suffer with the consequences of your fear and not moving forward and perhaps being cowardly and not courageous in that torrential tumult of war, that he loses his friend. That’s the essence of the story. Again, using such a word, that I thought was well rendered. Terry Loane, I go back to, because he made one of my favorite films, and my wife Keely, he made a movie called ‘Mickybo and Me’, which is a charming film if no one has ever seen it. We both, Keely, my wife and I fell in love with that film. Then lo and behold, Terry came to me with another project, which never found wings, and time and years ticked on. Then he came to me with this jewel of a story about Artie, ‘The Last Rifleman’. So I said, “Let’s go. Let’s make the movie.”

    Pierce Brosnan in 'The Last Rifleman'. Photo: Sky Cinema.
    Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Last Rifleman’. Photo: Sky Cinema.

    MF: What are the challenges of playing an older character and can you also talk about the make-up process that you went through for this film?

    PB: Well, at this age, I mean, I’m now 70 years of age, so I’m in that wonderful act of the third. But to play this man, I wished and desired to make some transformation, and I found a company called Millennium FX, and they came out to visit with me in California, and we did casts, and we looked at various presentations of myself, of possibilities of what I might look like when I’m 93, and I thought that was necessary for me to try and portray this character. So, it was a ritual every day, and I knew it was going to be so, and that is the delight of being an actor now at this age and having done what I’ve done as an actor and lived in the world of some representation of myself as a man and as an actor, to try and get away from that, to try and transform. So, it was quite demanding, but it was also a wonderful meditation every morning, with these wonderful artists. It would take about two hours and it was a meditation. I was up at 5:30am, and I would sit in the chair, and these wonderful artists just transformed me. I would open my eyes and after a period there’d be the character. Also, as a painter, as an artist, I did studies, so I have a whole series of self-portraits of myself as this character. So, I came away not only with portraying the man, but also with a piece of artwork, which has its own story.

    MF: Finally, Artie goes on this journey because he feels that he has one more thing he must do before he dies. Is there anything that you feel like you need to do before your time on this Earth is up?

    PB: Oh, dear, I suppose. But there are so many. You know, one last performance that will seal the deal, one great piece of poetry, or a memoir, or a painting. Yeah, there’s so many. It all comes from an artistic life, but I don’t really think in those terms of last wishes or last moments. I’m just hope that it comes gently.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Last Rifleman’?

    Inspired by a true story, Pierce Brosnan plays Artie Crawford, a World War II veteran living in a care home in Northern Ireland who has just lost his wife. On the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, he decides to escape his care home and embarks on a journey to France to pay his final respects.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Last Rifleman’?

    Pierce Brosnan in 'The Last Rifleman'. Photo: Sky Cinema.
    Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Last Rifleman’. Photo: Sky Cinema.

    List of Pierce Brosnan Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Last Rifleman’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Pierce Brosnan Movies On Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘Saturday Night’

    (L to R) Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Opening in theaters everywhere on October 11th is the biographical comedy ‘Saturday Night’, which chronicles the 90-minutes leading up to the premiere of ‘Saturday Night Live’.

    Directed by Jason Reitman (‘Juno’, ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’), the film stars Gabriel LaBelle (‘The Fabelmans’) as Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman (‘Licorice Pizza’) as NBC executive Dick Ebersol, Rachel Sennott (‘Bottoms’) as writer Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith (‘Gotham’) as Chevy Chase, Dylan O’Brien (‘American Assassin’) as Dan Aykroyd, Lamorne Morris (‘Jumanji: The Next Level’) as Garrett Morris, Ella Hunt (‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’) as Gilda Radner, Emily Fairn (‘Mary & George’) as Laraine Newman, Kim Matula (‘Fighting with My Family’) as Jane Curtin and Matt Wood as John Belushi.

    Related Article: Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL’ Movie is Titled ‘Saturday Night’ and will be Out in October

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin, and Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin, and Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    ‘Saturday Night’, director Jason Reitman’s loving tribute to the 50-year television institution that Lorne Michaels’ created is fun, fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining. The film plays like a greatest-hits of all the behind-the-scenes stories and sketches from the first year of ‘SNL’, within the confines of the 90-minutes leading up to the premiere episode in 1975. While Reitman certainly took creative liberties with the facts, the film is exciting to watch and probably his best movie to date.

    Script and Direction

    Director Jason Reitman on the set of Columbia Pictures' 'Saturday Night.'
    Director Jason Reitman on the set of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Saturday Night.’

    Unfolding in real-time, ‘Saturday Night’ tells the story of the 90-minutes leading up to the premiere of the first episode in 1975 and literally ends after the first sketch and Chevy Chase says, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night’.

    The movie begins by introducing us to a frantic Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), who is dealing with a handful of problems including nervous NBC executives, a missing John Belushi (Matt Wood), over 3-hours of sketches to cut down into 90 minutes and the fact that he still doesn’t know what the show is going to be. Pressuring Michaels to cancel the live-broadcast and air a tape instead is NBC executives Dick Eborsol (Cooper Hoffman) and David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), who has ulterior motives for hiring Michaels in the first place.

    We soon meet cast members including Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), who already thinks he is a superstar. We also meet Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), who as the oldest member of the cast and mostly a dramatic actor and playwright, has no idea why he is there. In addition to meeting the rest of the cast, we also see a young Billy Crystal (Nicholas Podany) who was promised a spot on the show, and a confused Andy Kaufman (Nicholas Braun) arriving for his appearance. Finally, we meet writer and Michaels’ wife, Rosie Schuster (Rachel Sennott), who is trying to calm the cast down and decide if she wants to be credited with her married name.

    (L to R) Cinematographer Eric Steelberg and Director Jason Reitman on the set of Columbia Pictures' 'Saturday Night'.
    (L to R) Cinematographer Eric Steelberg and Director Jason Reitman on the set of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Saturday Night’.

    Reitman clearly has a lot of love for ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the original cast, I would imagine partly because his father, the late director Ivan Reitman (‘Ghostbusters’) had worked with most of them in Toronto before they were cast on the show, which makes Jason the perfect person to tell this specific story. Rather than doing the usual biopic that follows the creation and casting of the series, and maybe even chronicle the entire 50-year history, Reitman wisely focused on the hour and a half before the first broadcast. The movie fits in all the legendary stories that fans have heard over the years, while also finding time for glimpses of most of the sketches that would end up featuring in that episode and later in the first season.

    While Reitman takes some liberties with the facts, the film is none the less fascinating to watch. However, there was more time spent with certain characters like Garrett Morris and Billy Crystal than needed, and I thought it took away from exploring the main cast. In fact, except for Morris, most of the original cast members don’t have as much screen time as you would expect, especially Belushi, although I think they were trying to use the character sparingly like Spielberg did with the shark in ‘Jaws’. However, it still kind of works because we as an audience have so much nostalgia for the show and already basically know who Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and the rest are. But I wonder how well this movie would have worked if it was an original story and we had no history with these characters or this show.

    Performances

    Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    The actors playing the original ‘SNL’ cast are excellent, truly working as an ensemble as no one actor stands-out, but again, this is also one of the problems with the movie as we really are not given enough time with any of them to really get to know them. Lamorne Morris probably has the most screen time and brings vulnerability to the character of Garret Morris (no relation).

    While not in the movie nearly enough, Cory Michael Smith is excellent as an arrogant Chevy Chase. Kim Matula was very intriguing as Jane Curtain, but again didn’t have enough to do and the same can be said for Dylan O’Brian as Aykroyd, Emily Fain as Newman, Ella Hunt as Radner and Matt Wood as Belushi.

    The character we spend the most time with is of course Lorne Michaels, but we never really get the feeling that we know him. That’s not actor Gabriel LaBelle’s fault, and I would argue that he played the role perfectly. The problem is that the character of Lorne Michaels is aloof to begin with, and there is no way to truly understand his genius.

    (Left) Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures. (Right) Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (Left) Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures. (Right) Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    But the love story (if you can call it that) between Michaels and Rosie Shuster helps to give the audience a little insight into his character and their relationship. In fact, Rachel Sennott lights up the screen as Shuster and gives one of the brightest performances in the film. It’s also worth mentioning Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol and Willem Dafoe as David Tebet, respectively, as both actors give solid performances but, in the end, just act as the antagonists.

    Part of the fun of the movie is watching the cameos, including ‘Succession’ actor Nicholas Braun who is unrecognizable as both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson, who people forget was technically a member of the original cast. Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons also steals his one scene as legendary comedian Milton Berle who Chase catches successfully hitting on his girlfriend Jacqueline Carlin (Kaia Gerber). Other strong cameos include Paul Rust who is a dead ringer for Paul Schaffer, Taylor Gray as an amusing Al Franken, Jon Batiste as musical guest Billy Preston, and Matthew Rhys as an unpleasant George Carlin, who hosted the first episode.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), John Belushi (Matt Wood) and Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O'Brian) in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), John Belushi (Matt Wood) and Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brian) in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    In the end, ‘Saturday Night’ is probably the best possible version of this movie that someone could make, and the best film of Jason Reitman’s career so far. I would think that the film will certainly be on the shortlist for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay at next year’s Oscars, but unfortunately, no one performance stands-out enough to be nominated. Whether you are a diehard fan of ‘Saturday Night Live’ or have never seen an episode (that’s hard to believe), you will enjoy this fun, funny and fast-paced film, which is a perfect tribute to the comedic television institution that is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.

    ‘Saturday Night’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘Saturday Night’?

    The film is based on the true story of what happened in the 90 minutes prior to the October 11, 1975, debut of ‘Saturday Night Live’.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Saturday Night?’

    • Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels
    • Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster
    • Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase
    • Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner
    • Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd
    • Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman
    • Matt Wood as John Belushi
    • Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris
    • Kim Matula as Jane Curtin
    • Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page
    • Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson
    • Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol
    • Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin
    • Andrew Barth Feldman as Neil Levy
    • Tommy Dewey as Michael O’Donoghue
    • Willem Dafoe as David Tebet
    • Matthew Rhys as George Carlin
    • J. K. Simmons as Milton Berle
    • Jon Batiste as Billy Preston
    • Taylor Gray as Al Franken
    • Mcabe Gregg as Tom Davis
    • Nicholas Podany as Billy Crystal
    • Tracy Letts as Herb Sargent
    • Leander Suleiman as Anne Beatts
    • Paul Rust as Paul Shaffer
    (L to R) Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Matt Wood as John Belushi in 'Saturday Night'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Matt Wood as John Belushi in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Movies Based On ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketches:

    Buy ‘SNL’ Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Rob Peace’ Exclusive Interview: Chiwetel Ejiofor

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    Opening in limited release in theaters on August 16th is ‘Rob Peace,’ which is based on a true story and the book ‘The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace’ by author Jeff Hobbs.

    The movie was written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor (‘Doctor Strange’), who also stars as Rob’s father, while Jay Will (‘Tulsa King’) plays Peace. The supporting cast also includes Mary J. Blige (‘The Umbrella Academy’), Camila Cabello (‘Cinderella’), and Michael Kelly (‘Man of Steel’).

    Movie Review: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    'Rob Peace' writer, director and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor.
    ‘Rob Peace’ writer, director and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor about his work on ‘Rob Peace’, his first reaction to learning of the true story, adapting the novel, playing Rob’s father, their relationship, and casting Jay Will.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Ejiofor, Jay Will and author Jeff Hobbs.

    Jay Will and Chiwetel Ejiofor in 'Rob Peace'.
    (L to R) Jay Will and Chiwetel Ejiofor in ‘Rob Peace’. Photo: Republic Pictures.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to learning of Rob’s true story and why did you personally want to make this movie?

    Chiwetel Ejiofor: When I first read the book, which was not long after it came out and before I was involved in the film, I was just really moved by his story. I thought that it really encapsulated thoughts and ideas that I had had, I suppose, but not organized in a way, the way that the book does. Jeff Hobbs, Rob’s roommate at Yale wrote a book that really encapsulates not only Rob’s life, but a lot of the systemic challenges that were faced by Rob. I felt like that was incredibly moving to see in this document and a document of empathy and a document of passion in this book. So, I was very moved and inspired to talk about that because I immediately felt that it had a cinematic resonance. So, I was inspired to see what that would feel like, what that would be like, and how to bring this story off the page.

    Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jay Will in 'Rob Peace'.
    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jay Will in ‘Rob Peace’. Photo: Republic Pictures.

    MF: Can you talk about developing the screenplay, adapting Jeff Hobbs’ book and the themes you wanted to explore as a filmmaker?

    CE: I think I was very interested immediately in understanding these intersections in the systemic realities that Rob faced. So, there were intersections of race, of housing, of the education system, of the criminal justice system due to Rob’s father who may or may not have been wrongly imprisoned for a double homicide, and this having a profound effect on Rob’s life. So, my first interest was in this region and pulling together these ideas, these thematic ideas. Then I suppose it grew into this kind of idea of what is our responsibilities. As a theme, what are our responsibilities to ourselves? What are our responsibilities to our community? Who draws those lines and who draws those boundaries? How when people are faced with very complicated circumstances, especially if they’re young, especially if it’s emotional, how can they navigate these challenges and these challenges of responsibility? I felt that that was an important theme. It’s an important theme in the world. I think that the ideas of social mobility are talked about in sometimes quite limited ways, Rob being an extreme example of this in many ways, but for a lot of people, the ideas of social mobility are incredibly challenging. I felt that it was important to speak about that. I felt that there was some room thematically in a narrative to talk about that. I also felt that it had a dramatic energy, that there was something that could be cinematic about those choices, about those decisions, and about those relationships. So, for all of those reasons, I think I wanted to start to explore it as a screenplay and as a film.

    Jay Will and Chiwetel Ejiofor in 'Rob Peace'.
    (L to R) Jay Will and Chiwetel Ejiofor in ‘Rob Peace’. Photo: Republic Pictures.

    MF: Can you talk about your approach to playing Rob’s father, Skeet and how he is relying on his son to get him out of prison?

    CE: I think it is a powerful central relationship in the story. This part of the story being about a father and son and how once Skeet is incarcerated, he starts to rely on Rob in a way that puts an enormous amount of pressure on his son. To me I was interested in that dynamic because I felt that it’s a really interesting way to look at those kinds of familial relationships. That at what point is it too much? At what point do you feel that a father needs to allow whatever’s happening to him to happen to him and not apply any additional pressure on a son who idolizes him in some ways, who is receptive to these kinds of pressures, who appreciates and values as foremost in his mind in some ways the ideas of family and community and these kinds of relationship and bonds that tie. At the same time, I felt like I could completely understand Skeet’s issue, that his desperation, wanting to grasp anything, anyone who’s declared that they’re on your side to aid you out of difficult circumstances. That push and pull, the nature of that dilemma I just thought was fascinating, was interesting, was emotional and I think relates to so many of our lives. Again, in ways that are often in a minor key. But explored in this way I think that there’s always something so universal about those challenges.

    Jay Will in 'Rob Peace'.
    Jay Will in ‘Rob Peace’. Photo: Republic Pictures.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about the challenges of finding the right actor to play Rob and casting Jay Will in that role?

    CE: Jay, I think is remarkable. He was in a way a real discovery because he had just finished at Julliard. He was part of the COVID year, so he didn’t really have a showcase to speak of. So, people weren’t incredibly aware of him. There were some online materials on him from the school and that I was shown. I just thought immediately that he had a real quality, he had this ease about him which I loved, but there was something very emotional, determined and engaged about him. So, I wanted to do some workshopping with him, and we did some sort of extended auditions, and it became very clear to me very quickly that he is an extraordinary talent. In this part, he was able to bring something to it that made the film feel more complete in a way. I was busy away writing these lines, when you are adapting something and you’re in your own way playing all the parts and trying to figure out if a scene works or whatever. Then seeing somebody really embody it, really understand the nuances of these dynamics, which Jay did. He kind of was able to really complete that work because he understood both sides of it. He understood the sides of it that were in the slightly more complicated, slightly more difficult upbringing or circumstances. He understood the Juilliard side and that slightly more rarefied engagement that you can get there. One of the things that was important to me was that it wasn’t a conversation about code switching. That it was a conversation about somebody who exists as they are in these circumstances. That we see them differently in some ways because we see them in these different spaces, but they hold themselves in much the same way throughout it. Jay really was able to capture that. It’s quite a nuanced thing, but he was able to sit in that space in a way that was completely authentic. I think as an actor, he’s just very much a truth seeker and I think that really shows.

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    What is the plot of ‘Rob Peace’?

    Yale University graduate Rob Peace (Jay Will), known as Shaun at the time his father (Chiwetel Ejiofor) was arrested for crimes he may not have committed, turns to drug dealing to get his father out of jail while maintaining other activities.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Rob Peace’?

    • Jay Will as Rob Peace
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor as Skeet Douglas
    • Mary J. Blige as Jackie Peace
    • Camila Cabello as Naya Vazquez
    • Michael Kelly as Reverend Edwin Leahy
    Jay Will in 'Rob Peace'.
    Jay Will in ‘Rob Peace’. Photo: Republic Pictures.

    Other Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies:

    Buy Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Young Woman and the Sea’

    Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle and Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney's live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    (L to R) Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle and Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo by Elena Nenkova. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on Friday, May 31st, ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ follows the impressive true story of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, who overcame enormous odds and struggles to become the first woman to swim the English channel.

    Fitting firmly into the wannabe inspirational biopic mold, it has a fantastic story at its core, but sometimes falls into the traps of juicing an already solid tale with some serious tropes of the genre.

    Related Article: Daisy Ridley and Tilda Cobham-Hervey Talk ‘Young Woman and the Sea’

    Does ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Fight the Tide?

    Daisy Ridley during production of 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley during production of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Joachim Rønning. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The story of Trudy Ederle, who overcame incredible challenges –– measles at a young age, which in the 1900s was much more of fatal issue –– and incredible sexism in society to achieve what many considered impossible.

    Taken on face value, it’s not hard to see why producer Jerry Bruckheimer would leap on this one, and why Disney would consider it worth turning into a movie. Yet it’s such a good yarn, with the benefit of being true, that it doesn’t need the slightly syrupy treatment that writer Jeff Nathanson and director Joachim Rønning lavish on it, as if not trusting the cast to bring the worthiness of the story to life without gilding the lily.

    Script and Direction

    'Young Woman and the Sea' director Joachim Rønning.
    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ director Joachim Rønning.

    Nathanson isn’t exactly known for based real-life work (‘Catch Me if You Can’ excepted) –– he’s more been found in the territory of big-budget blockbusters including ‘Indiana Jones’ and Jon Favreau’s ‘The Lion King’ (not to mention many movies for which he’s been an uncredited script doctor). But here, he brings his sensibilities to the story of Ederle. Yet for all his experience, what Nathanson produces feels like a hundred other emotional, inspirational stories.

    Admittedly, he and the whole team are guided by what happened to the real-life woman, but there are elements you can’t help but feel are invented. That said, the actual story is even more dramatic than the movie, a massive storm impacting Ederle at one point in a way this portrayal skips over (not to mention another woman who was going to be competing but had to drop out due to injury).

    As for Rønning, he certainly seems more comfortable in the water sections than on dry land. Given his experience with the likes of ‘Kon-Tiki’ and his ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ entry, that’s certainly understandable. The sea-set scenes, particularly in the last third of the movie, are the stand-outs, and Ederle’s story certainly offers enough drama on that front –– between chilling tides and jellyfish, she definitely faced struggles.

    The main issue that Rønning and his team don’t always let the story simply play out without feeling the need to jazz it up –– composer Amelia Warner’s score appears to borrow from the likes of ‘Titanic’ and often tips over into cliché in terms of its triumphalism.

    Performances: Daisy Ridley as Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle

    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Daisy Ridley has been looking for projects that will break her away from her ‘Star Wars’ days, and here she finds a compelling character to bring to life. Ederle was an impassioned, driven young woman (brought to life in her younger days by Olive Abercrombie), and Ridley certainly brings all the spirit the role requires.

    Trudy’s life was never easy –– between measles, the grumpy disbelief of her father in her abilities or ambition and the baked-in misogyny of 1900s society towards women doing anything outside the usual home chores (and certainly when it comes to swimming) –– but thanks to Ridley, we always root for her.

    Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Margaret Ederle

    Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Meg Ederle in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'. Photo courtesy of Disney.
    Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Meg Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The key relationship in Trudy’s life, and her biggest supporter, older sister Meg is a constant in keeping her going. As played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey, she’s a good match for Ridley’s energy, pushing as her sister does against the strictures of the time.

    Jeanette Hain as Gertrud Ederle

    Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle, Jeanette Hain as Gertrud Ederle, Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney's live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    (L to R) Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle, Jeanette Hain as Gertrud Ederle, Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo by Elena Nenkova. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Another huge influence in Trudy’s life was her imperious mother, who encouraged her daughter from a young age and always stood up for her. Jeanette Hain is fantastic as Gertrude, who takes no nonsense from anyone in her pursuit of her family’s needs.

    Christopher Eccleston Jabez Wolffe

    Christopher Eccleston and Daisy Ridley during production of 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    (L to R) Christopher Eccleston and Daisy Ridley during production of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Joachim Rønning. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Christopher Eccleston has a smaller role as Wolffe, the rough, dismissive and frustrated swimmer who is assigned to Trudy, and sabotages her first attempt. The actor makes the eminently punchable man more understandable but doesn’t shave off his sharper edges.

    Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess

    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle and Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    (L to R) Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle and Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Stephen Graham brings typical charm to Burgess, the second man to swim the Channel, and a forthright supporter of Trudy. He makes an impact from the start, emerging naked from the ocean following an exhibition swim in New York and ends up becoming one of the more inspirational people in Trudy’s efforts.

    Final Thoughts

    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Despite belaboring its heroic point to a degree that the story itself doesn’t truly need, the new movie manages to overcome one of the biggest hurdles facing such a film –– the fact that the outcome is never truly in doubt. That’s partly helped by Trudy’s story being one that not many people really know.

    It won’t change the game when it comes to true-life stories, but ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ has enough spirit to carry it across the finish line.

    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’?

    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ tells the story of Gertrude Ederle (Daisy Ridley), an American swimming champion, who first won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympic Games. In 1926, Ederle became the first woman to swim 21 miles across the English Channel.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’?

    • Daisy Ridley as Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle
    • Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Margaret “Meg” Ederle
    • Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess
    • Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle
    • Christopher Eccleston as Jabez Wolffe
    • Glenn Fleshler as James Sullivan
    • Jeanette Hain as Gertrude Anna Ederle
    • Sian Clifford as Charlotte
    'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Young Woman and the Sea:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Daisy Ridley Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ – Daisy Ridley and Tilda Cobham-Hervey

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    Opening in theaters on May 31st is the new sports biopic ‘Young Woman and the Sea’, which is based on the true story of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

    Directed by Joachim Rønning (‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (‘Remember the Titans’), the movie stars Daisy Ridley (‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (‘I Am Woman’), Stephen Graham (‘The Irishman’), Christopher Eccleston (‘Thor: The Dark World’), and Glenn Fleshler (‘Joker’).

    Related Article: Neil Burger Talks ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ Starring Daisy Ridley

    Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Daisy Ridley talk 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    (L to R) Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Daisy Ridley talk ‘Young Woman and the Sea’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Daisy Ridley and Tilda Cobham-Hervey to talk about their work on ‘Young Woman and the Sea’, the incredible true story it is based on, their approach to their characters, preparing physically for their roles and working with director Joachim Rønning.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Ridley, Cobham-Hervey, director Joachim Rønning, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Daisy, can you talk about your approach to playing Trudy and what were some of the aspects of the character on the page that you were excited to explore on screen?

    Daisy Ridley: When we were coming to it, I thought this is weirdly difficult, because Trudy is a character that knows what she wants and does it. I thought it’s interesting trying to think about that because so much of what we see, and honestly in the film, are the difficulties of overcoming. But on the page, I thought, “Well, she did the amazing thing.” Then as we got into it, obviously moment by moment you see those difficulties come out in different ways. So, I spoke to Joachim. I really wanted the joy of her swimming to come through. There were conversations about socially what it meant and what it means for women in sport, but I wanted her to be someone who was driven by her own love of her sport. So that was one of the things I was really excited for. The joy between the two sisters and this family that supports each other, and then a lot of physical training, but really coming in and wanting that joy to come through and the hopefulness that I felt at the end of the script.

    MF: Tilda, can you talk about Trudy’s relationship with her sister Meg and the way she and their parents supported Trudy on her journey?

    Tilda Cobham-Hervey: Yeah, that’s the part of the story that really moved me as well. I think that it also shows that when someone has that singular dream like that, it often takes a community of people that really support that dream to make it possible. It was also just so nice to be able to play a really loving relationship between two sisters and two women that were trying to work out how to become adults in the world and really pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves that they could be. I think Meg represents the societal pressures of the time. She must get married and to someone she doesn’t really want to get married to and have the job that is working in her father’s business. She doesn’t have those opportunities, and I think that shows the balance of also how extraordinary it was that Trudy was able to do what she did and how crazy it was compared to the way most women were living at that time. So, I think that difference between the two of them really helps explain Trudy’s extraordinary talent.

    Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Meg Ederle in Disney’s live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'. Photo courtesy of Disney.
    Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Meg Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Meg really gets to live out her dreams in a way through Meg fulfilling her dreams, correct?

    TCH: Yeah. I think that’s a big part of it. It sort of becomes a shared dream in the end. It means something so much more than just achieving the physical feat. It’s like achieving an idea of what’s possible for women.

    MF: Daisy, can you talk about the challenges of training and getting physically ready for this role and shooting on the open water?

    DR: Well, I could not swim 10 meters in my first session. I got up and was having a mild panic attack and thought, “What have I done?” Then worked hard for three months before we started shooting. Then we had two weeks in Bulgaria, so we were able to swim together, which was nice. It was tough. We had an amazing coach who was an Olympian, and we continued training throughout filming. Then really the open water was the end of the shoot. It was nine days in the Black Sea, and that was honestly daunting. Because the impact is oftentimes easier than the buildup, each day I thought, “Okay, if I can just get to this thing,” because I was in a panic about what it might be, but you don’t know what it’s going to feel like until you’re in the sea. So, the first time plopping in, and the safety boat went away, I thought, “Oh my god.” There’s currents and I must keep up with the boat and I must keep up with the camera. It was overwhelming and it was cold. So, in and out, doing that for many, many, many days was tough. But also, the safety support team did call me a real tough cookie, and I was like, “Yes.” Yeah, it was afterwards I was exhausted. I think so much of it was pushing the panic down until I had done the thing.

    'Young Woman and the Sea' director Joachim Rønning.
    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ director Joachim Rønning.

    MF: Finally, what was it like for both of you collaborating with director Joachim Rønning on the set?

    DR: There was one time where for whatever reason you weren’t there, because there could only be a certain number of people on the boat, and he had to read your lines from it and I thought, “Oh my God.” He literally was watching me, and I was like, “Joachim, you have a line.” He goes, “Oh, sorry.” He was just in the scene. He would occasionally (direct) from the boat. I mean, I felt lonely in that water, but then looking up and seeing a bank of people who were very supportive was great.

    Daisy Ridley during production of 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley during production of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo courtesy of Joachim Rønning. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    TCH: It was sometimes terrifying to be on that boat just watching her in the middle of the ocean. The takes would go on for quite some time, and it was an extraordinary feat to just be witnessing you navigate the ocean. Daisy also had to do it for many days before I had to jump in for the tiny moment that I do, so I was sort of watching you going, “Okay, that looks all right.” Then slowly getting more terrified watching you do it before I had to.

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    What is the plot of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’?

    ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ tells the story of Gertrude Ederle (Daisy Ridley), an American swimming champion, who first won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympic Games. In 1926, Ederle became the first woman to swim 21 miles across the English Channel.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Young Woman and the Sea’?

    • Daisy Ridley as Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle
    • Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Margaret “Meg” Ederle
    • Stephen Graham as Bill Burgess
    • Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle
    • Christopher Eccleston as Jabez Wolffe
    • Glenn Fleshler as James Sullivan
    • Jeanette Hain as Gertrude Anna Ederle
    • Sian Clifford as Charlotte
    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney's live-action 'Young Woman and the Sea'.
    Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle in Disney’s live-action ‘Young Woman and the Sea’. Photo by Elena Nenkova. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Young Woman and the Sea:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Daisy Ridley Movies On Amazon