As a cinephile with decades of movie-watching under my belt, I find myself drawn to films that hark back to the golden age of character-driven and genre-focused cinema. The upcoming movie “Shell,” directed by the talented Sam Minghella, seems to be just such a film – a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and poignant commentary on contemporary issues like aging and body image.
Picture Elisabeth Moss as a struggling actress and Kate Hudson as the glamorous CEO of a wellness corporation, hiding a horrific secret. They engage in quick, witty banter. A long-haired henchman is also present. The film’s retro vibe is accentuated by casting Kaia Gerber, Arian Moayed, Este Haim, and Elizabeth Berkley. Director Max Minghella blends all these elements into a 100-minute movie that playfully combines horror, suspense, humor, and wildness. This unique blend is what we get in the film Shell, making its world debut in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.
As a “dark comedy and body horror that explores society’s fixation on youth and beauty,” Moss and Minghella aim for their second directorial venture to provide an exhilarating ride for viewers. In an interview with THR, the star shares, “Max and I primarily aimed to create something enjoyable, something amusing.” During a short break from filming the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale in Toronto, she adds, “Sometimes people need a moment of respite and simply want to go to the cinema for some enjoyment. However, it’s high-quality entertainment.
According to Minghella, he expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “I was really looking forward to creating a movie that would appeal directly to the audience and be a classic popcorn flick.” He further explained that his mother often shared with him the storylines of films she reviewed for her job at the British Board of Film Classification. “During that era, they were making a particular kind of film,” he stated. “So this movie is like a heartfelt tribute to that period of studio filmmaking.
Two long-time co-stars from the series “Handmaid’s Tale” appreciated the shift in collaboration dynamics while working on the project “Shell”. As Elisabeth Moss, one of the actors, expresses, “We’re accustomed to collaborating because even though I’m the director and executive producer on ‘Handmaid’s Tale’, it still feels very team-oriented.” They are used to discussing scenes, scripts, and shots together. With Anthony Minghella taking charge on “Shell”, Moss notes, “There was a lot of trust there.” She also mentions that he boosted her confidence to experiment with different approaches, allowing her to step out of her comfort zone a bit. The transition into their new working relationship seemed effortless for them.
As a gamer, I can confidently say that working with Moss was nothing short of exhilarating for us both. Her raw talent is something truly special, almost surreal for a director like me. To top it off, we had an incredibly demanding production timeline for this film, yet she managed to churn out these outstanding performances with such swiftness and precision. It’s as if the script came alive through her acting.
They are both thrilled about the star-studded cast in Shell, with Moss describing it as an “impressive lineup” of talent. Moss shares, “Working with Kate [Hudson] was such a pleasure. She’s someone I’ve admired for a long time.” She praises Hudson for her “subtly nuanced, humorously entertaining, yet deeply complex and intriguing” portrayal. Moss adds that there was a risk of playing the role in a way that would have been “overly dramatic and predictable”.
Meanwhile, Gerber possesses an abundance of talent, Moss comments to THR, expressing that it was fascinating to act alongside someone who is showcasing another aspect of their abilities and excelling at it.
Furthermore, there were numerous other actors involved. As a producer, I’d often arrive on set, wondering, “How did you get them?!” I believe it was primarily due to the compelling script and collaboration with Max, which led to an impressive ensemble cast. It’s like this: come for the faces on the poster, but be pleasantly surprised by 20 additional actors you didn’t expect to see in the film.
Shell displays an unexpected facet that deviates from her recent work, Moss admits. “The most I’ve come close to this recently was collaborating with Ruben Östlund on ‘The Square’,” she notes. However, she clarifies that she doesn’t typically select projects merely for the novelty factor. Instead, she finds herself drawn to the material itself, and she felt this script was exceptionally unique. “I believe it turned out to be funnier than we anticipated. That was enjoyable because, of course, Max’s and my regular work isn’t usually comedy,” she adds.
However, they both enjoyed the chance for Moss to break free from her usual comedic persona. She might not object to this playful wordplay referencing the movie title. “We’re both big fans of comedy,” Moss explains, “and we both love that kind of film, so we have a lot of laughs together as friends.” Therefore, working on “Shell” was an enjoyable experience for us since it allowed us to let loose and not be too serious.
That said, the movie deals with such issues as aging and body image and expectations. “We’re still upset with anti-aging, and whatever the ideal of the body is,” Moss says. “There’s a lot more inclusivity, of course, but at the same time there’s still an idea of how you are supposed to look, and that’s often not achievable in our industry. As a woman in this business, it is not something I’m unfamiliar with.”
The director believes the subject matter is relatable on a global scale because everyone shares connections with mortality and vanity. As Minghella points out, these themes are universal, making it delightful to have a point of entry in a story that resonates with us all, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender, as they touch us universally.
The film, named Shell, which was created by Range, Blank Tape, Love & Squalor, and Dark Castle Entertainment, is currently being distributed in the United States by both WME and CAA, while Black Bear handles its distribution in global markets.
Audience members will appreciate the director and his team poking fun at classic movie archetypes, for instance, the henchman or a character similar to Haim’s, who essentially serves as a sounding board for the film and appears when needed. This is a satire of somewhat one-dimensional characters often found in films from the past that the director admires. The director adores the movie “Look Who’s Talking”. It had a significant impact on him growing up, and there are many similarities between this film and the one being made, with Lydia seeming like a character straight out of “Look Who’s Talking”.
Moss and Minghella recognize a gap in contemporary cinema for those yearning for traditional escapism. “I haven’t seen many films like this lately,” Moss states. Minghella adds that he aimed to create Shell as a movie that is “a type of entertainment that seems to have become less popular.” Being a product of an era when blockbusters were predominantly character- and genre-driven, the director elaborates, “We don’t see many films like this anymore, and I was eager to create one.” As a viewer myself, I too craved watching such a film.
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2024-09-07 23:25