Paul Dano's directorial debut, WILDLIFE, is a tension filled look at a failing marriage through pov of the couple's only son. Our Gadi Elkon chatted with Producer Oren Moverman about his work with directors, his producing/writing/directing background, the importance of female filmmakers and talent in films today, and much more. Here is our interview with Oren Moverman.
14-year-old Joe is the only child of Jeanette and Jerry—a housewife and a golf pro—in a small town in 1960s Montana. Nearby, an uncontrolled forest fire rages close to the Canadian border, and when Jerry loses his job—and his sense of purpose—he decides to join the cause of fighting the fire, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Suddenly forced into the role of an adult, Joe witnesses his mother’s struggle as she tries to keep her head above water.
Wildlife is a film that showcases the raw reality of the ups and downs of a marriage. Paul Dano's directorial debut is filled with unique pacing and shot choices and tremendous performances that push Wildlife into a comfortable category of one of the year's better films. Carey Mulligan puts in an Oscar worthy take on Jeanette, the housewife who struggles with taking care of the family and figuring out her own place in life. Young newcomer Ed Oxenbould shares calm demeanor with his Director's own acting chops and the role of Joe is one of the most endearing characters of the fall season. Jake Gyllenhaal as Jerry is the perfect good hearted failure who's altruistic choice to become a firefighter forever impacts his life. Paul Dano has quickly figured out a real voice among all the over-the-top films and given us a throwback movie that tugs at all the right emotions.
Producer Oren Moverman met Paul Dano while working on LOVE & MERCY. They quickly became friends and Oren was delighted to hear of Paul and Zoe Kazan's dive in to the world of writing and directing. Oren and I talked about his work with up-and-coming talents at Director and especially this year's crop of films he is connected to. Oren is a producer or writer on 6 films that have all come out this year and 4 of them (including Wildlife) were originally sold at the Sundance Film Festival. But I'll let Oren tell you all about that.
Here is our chat with Producer/Writer/Director and fellow Israeli-American Oren Moverman.
