Sleeping With Other People – Interview w/ Writer/Director Leslye Headland

Writer/Director Leslye Headland tackles sex and relationships w/ a witty and honest voice that highlights the real qualities of the fun surprise that is Sleeping with Other People.  Click through for my interview with Leslye and my full review for this fall treat of a film.

Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) in Leslye Headland’s film SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.  Courtesy of Linda Källérus.  An IFC Films Release.

"Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie star as two romantic failures whose years of serial infidelity and self-sabotage have led them to swear that their relationship will remain strictly platonic. But can love still bloom while you’re sleeping with other people?"

Sleeping With Other People could have easily fallen into the typical pitfalls of romantic comedies, instead Leslye Headland pushed the buttons a bit further.  The casting of Jason Sudeikis allows for a real freedom in that you're not entirely sure where the funny fella is going to go with each scene.  Alison Brie continues to showcase that not only is she one of hottest women around, but that she is a likable and believable lead actress who shines brightly.  The real fun though is the lines the two of these actors cross.  Those moments where it's way past romantic comedy fun and into dirty and raunchy moments of reality.  Take this fun cliche scene.  Guy, who of course secretly loves girl, is acting as a "bestie" and goes clothes shopping.  This sequence has been done before, but watch the fun inventive and slightly over-the-line way in which Leslye's dialog gives us something fresh and hilarious.

"Unleash the Inner-Khaleesi", is a nice modern take on "bitchy" mood, but it's the "cuts your dick off" line that hammers in Leslye's great pointed stance being discussed.  The ease of Sudeikis and Brie (how sexy does she look!!) in this scene is showcased throughout the film and a real highlight to this movie's overall impact.  You find yourself wanting these two to be together in the end, and not instead "waiting" for them to end up together.  But the film isn't strictly just these two lovely folks.  There are a slew of fun folks that are the "other people", Adam Brody really stands out as Lainey's boyfriend in the beginning of the film.  His out there response to finding out he's being cheated on is pure gold (briefly seen in the film's trailer).  The really fun supporting characters are Jake's other main love interest Paula, played charmingly by Amanda Peet.  Lainey's true love Matthew played by Adam Scott with a wonderful asshole vibe and finally the real steal of the movie Jason Mantzoukas who is Jake's best guy friend, the married Xander.  Rafi, I mean Jason Mantzoukas and Andrea Savage (Naomi) play the wonderful married couple with kids who live for the funny mistakes of their single friends (mainly Jake).  Mantzoukas is spot on with his comedic timing.  Let's enjoy the best foursome in the movie!  Rafi and Andrea Savage with Jason and Alison Brie discussing virginity.

Overall a talented cast really helps deliver Leslye Headland's wonderful script in a way that showcases her strong future!  And speaking of Leslye, here is my interview with the Writer/Director of Sleeping With Other People.

Interview with Leslye Headland.

Jason Mantoukas, Alison Brie, Andrea Savage and Leslye Headland at The London West Hollywood for Sleeping With Other People screening.  Courtesy of the facebook page of the film.

Before we jumped into Sleeping With Other People, I had to ask Leslye about the wonderful show Terriers (canceled WAY TO SOON!!!!).

I asked Leslye about the writing process and specifically how does it start for her.

There is a really special scene in the movie where Jake explains to Lainey how to masturbate.  In the scene, she says she's never touched herself and so he utilizes a green tea bottle to show her how to "MIND THE GAP, TAP THE ROOF".  It's honestly one of the funniest things I've seen all year.  Leslye and I of course talk about this scene in depth and deeply (see what I did there?). 

Leslye talked about the greatness of Jason Sudiekis.

I asked Leslye about working with her wonderful DP Ben Kutchins (Holy Rollers and Veronica Mars).

Of course, I asked about RAFI!!

The green tea masturbation scene is my favorite in the film, but my favorite line in the film is something else.  I asked Leslye about this specific line and got her to crack up laughing.  Enjoy my final question with, the wonderfully open and honest, Writer/Director Leslye Headland.

For more information on the film please go, here.

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