Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis quickly transitioned from acquaintances to a father-daughter duo in the upcoming film “Goodrich.”
Although they had only met once prior to filming, joining their writer-director Hallie Meyers-Shyer for a dinner, she had a strong intuition about their chemistry on screen.
Once production began, they found themselves diving deep into their characters, who are laden with emotional baggage and are uncertain about the possibility of building a genuine relationship.
Keaton portrays a man trying to mend his past absence in his daughter’s life while balancing parenting young twins from his second marriage.
Kunis, on the other hand, is getting ready to start her own family and grapples with trusting her father to be present this time around.
However, both actors were unperturbed by the challenge, noting the exceptional quality of the script. Kunis expressed, “Hallie’s writing was so honest and genuine and never felt forced.
It was a refreshing portrayal of these characters where everything made sense and the dynamics were relatable.”
Hallie Meyers-Shyer comes from a filmmaking lineage, being the daughter of renowned directors Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer.
She was steeped in film culture from a young age, often visiting her mother’s film sets and even appearing as an extra in some productions.
After making her directorial debut with the romantic comedy “Home Again” in 2017, she began crafting “Goodrich,” inspired by her own experiences with complex parenting situations across generations.
“I’ve experienced my father remarrying and having more children, which brought about its own challenges,” Meyers-Shyer reflected. “If I struggled with it, I imagined others might too.”
A significant motivating factor for her was the opportunity to work with Keaton, an actor she has long admired.
This admiration spurred her to write the role specifically for him, depicting a Los Angeles art gallery owner at a pivotal stage in his life.
Flattered by the offer, Keaton agreed not only to star but also to serve as an executive producer for the project, which was filmed over a brisk 25-day schedule in Los Angeles.
Meyers-Shyer expressed pride in returning film production to Los Angeles, stating, “It’s nice to bring some business back to Los Angeles.
This city is unique, and it’s a privilege to shoot a film here.”
“Goodrich” is set to release in theaters this weekend, distributed by the independent company Ketchup Entertainment.
In a marketplace where unproven films struggle to gain attention, the theatrical release of “Goodrich” is noteworthy, especially as many films now bypass theaters for streaming services.
Kunis remarked on the rarity of this occurrence, emphasizing, “It’s sad that we’re even discussing its theatrical release. It feels miraculous nowadays.”
Keaton also cherishes the theatrical experience but maintains a pragmatic view about distribution avenues, valuing the importance of getting any film made.
Meyers-Shyer noted the difficult journey for films like “Goodrich” to come to fruition, expressing her gratitude for its release.
“Writing this movie in 2018 and finally seeing it come to life in 2024 has been a lengthy journey,” she shared.
This time around, Meyers-Shyer independently helmed the project without her mother’s production involvement.
“We were never meant to be a filmmaking duo,” she clarified, recalling that while her mother produced her first film, they agreed that it would be a one-time collaboration.
Still, her mother’s guidance remained valuable.
“I would continuously reach out for advice. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about filmmaking,” she said.
Both Kunis and Keaton praise Meyers-Shyer for carving her path within the industry, separate from her parents’ shadow.
They appreciated her refined sensibilities, likening her aesthetic influences to iconic filmmakers like Mike Nichols and Jim Brooks.
“Hallie has her own distinct voice,” Kunis asserted, adding, “Much like how you can recognize a Nancy Meyers movie, there’s a unique touch to Hallie’s style as well.”