Michael Shannon tackles a most serious subject for his directorial debut with a very restrained, and often uncomfortable approach to a school shooting. He takes it past the tragedy to the aftermath for the parents of the shooter, Eric, and the parents of those boys who were killed. Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgård both give tense and uneasy performances from their point of view, trying to understand and go on after their son killed 3 fellow high school classmates.
We talked with Shannon and Neveu about the importance of telling the story of the effect on the families, clergy and the community that does not go away after the initial act of violence. Watch the interview.
Oscar nominated twice for supporting actor, Shannon had always been reticent to take on the responsibility of directing a film, even though he has been in so many. (Take Shelter, Knives Out, The Iceman, and The Shape of Water). But he was inspired to direct after seeing Brett Neveu’s 2018 production of the play at Chicago’s Red Orchid Theatre the actor helped found in Chicago. He took on the challenge when Neveu gave him a finished script for the screenplay on the play’s closing night. It was originally written in 2002, before the school shootings at Columbine, Sandy Hook Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas had taken place.
The focus of this screenplay follows the parents of the shooter (Greer and Skarsgård) as they are trying to piece their lives back together within the community in the aftermath of the tragedy. Janice is devastated, emotionally withdrawn, and paralyzed. Ron is trying to get her to go to his church to heal with help from his more boisterous, evangelical Pastor Bill (Tracy Letts, a Shannon Steppenwolfe Theatre collaborator). She is more comfortable with her Presbyterian minister, Steve (Paul Sparks) who is more gentle, but he’s a little preoccupied with his own family’s problems.
Both pastors are willing to bring them back into the fold. Steve is trying to get Janice to heal by meeting with the mothers of the boys who were shot by her son, Eric. The scene where they finally meet, minus one of the mothers who did not want to participate, is just too painful for all.
Janice keeps her son’s bedroom closed because the hurt is too great. She and Ron are so far apart in terms of how to heal. Janice is keeping it in. Ron dives into religion by going to church and has made a friend in congregant Lisa (Alison Pill). She has more than a passing interest in him. Pill is so joyous about helping Ron let Jesus relieve his burden to make him feel better, that she gets too close. It becomes sensual.
Michael Shannon is a thoughtful man with so many talents. Asked if he achieved his vision in this first directorial effort. He paused for a minute and answered in the affirmative. Many offer thoughts and prayers, but Shannon and Neveu show no fear tackling this heartbreaking subject with Greer and Skarsgård in the lead.They show no easy answers for the epidemic of gun violence in schools, and that all continue to be victims.
Magnolia Pictures 1 hour 59 minutes
Related posts:
Knives Out Writer/Director Rian Johnson talks about having the whole cast on the set
Ford v Ferrari Stunt Coordinator, Robert Nagle
Interview with Waves stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Taylor Russell and Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults talking teen angst, family and sound design.
THE CAMPERS AT THE SUNDANCE PREMIERE OF CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE FILM.
Echo Boomers
Eddie Redmayne and Tom Harper talk challenges making The Aeronauts
