Danielle Solzman
Ed Helms and Patti Harrison spoke with Solzy at the Movies about their new film, Together Together, opening this weekend in theaters.
One thing I love about the film is that it is a game-changer for transgender representation. I said as much in my review during Sundance and then some. Besides this, the film is led by the strength of Helms and Harrison in bringing about a new charming comedy.
In addition to this film, Helms also co-created, executive produces, and stars in Rutherford Falls. The series is now available today exclusively on Peacock. Harrison also stars in the third and final season of Shrill. The final seaosn will be premiering on May 7.
Please be sure to check out my interview with Together Together writer-director Nikole Beckwith. The film premiered earlier this year during the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. The film will also be available May 11 on Digital.
It’s nice to talk with the both of you this afternoon. What was it that attracted you to the script?
Ed Helms: Go, Patti.
Patti Harrison: I would say that it really was very different from any other scripts that had been sent my way. It just seemed completely out of left field and not an opportunity I ever really like imagined I would get to do, just coming from doing a lot of like smaller parts and more explicit comedies. A pretty absurd comedy space, I think, is where a lot of my work prior to that had been. To get a script that was very grounded and kind of straddling this genre line of drama and comedy, it just was very interesting and felt like a rare opportunity.
Ed Helms: I can just say I read this script and I loved how surprising it was. I loved how sort of courageously simple it was and that this character would give me an opportunity to tap into some unfamiliar acting challenges. It gets dramatic and poignant in places and it’s also extremely funny. All of that was very exciting.
Have you had a chance to experience with the film with an audience yet or?
Ed Helms: No.
Patti Harrison: No.
Ed Helms: Not yet. I mean, it played at Sundance but that was all virtual so no idea.
Yeah, it was a lot different missing out on the whole Park City experience this year.
Ed Helms: Yeah. Especially—I don’t know. I’ve been to Sundance a bunch of times. I always have fun but this movie felt like the perfect Sundance movie because it’s such a small tight knit cast. It’s just a bummer. It was such a privilege to be a part of Sundance but bittersweet because we didn’t get to hang out in Park City and celebrate this accomplishment.
What do the two of you typically look for in characters when you’re reading a screenplay?
Patti Harrison: I’m really attracted to just scripts that say something I haven’t seen someone say before or show me something in a way I haven’t seen it before. That really felt true when I was reading this script initially.
Ed Helms: I guess I look for whether or not I can identify with this character in some way. As I’m reading a script, I’m picturing myself in the role and the choices that I would make and whether or not that makes sense and feels like a good fit. I like for it to be funny. I like for it to—this one had some new challenges for me so I guess it changes every time but it boils down to whether or not I feel like I can do it.
