Kate Mara had never encountered Tim Robinson’s unique style of humor before filmmaker Andrew DeYoung proposed she take on the role opposite the master of awkwardness in “Friendship“. In this movie, Mara portrays Tami Waterman, a caring mother, small business owner (florist), and cancer survivor who finds herself on the verge of becoming Craig Waterman’s (Robinson) runaway spouse. Tami feels overlooked by her insensitive husband, and the situation becomes more pronounced when Craig develops a quick bond with their new neighboring weatherman, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd).
In the end, Craig puts his fresh romance at risk. It all starts when he oversteps boundaries during a friendly sparring session, and later, he makes an odd choice by eating a bar of soap in front of Austin and their other friends, using it as a strange form of humor. This type of unconventional comedy is abundant in DeYoung’s directorial debut, but Mara approached this unique black comedy with the same seriousness she would any other role or genre.
Craig endangers his new relationship. The trouble begins when he gets too aggressive during a casual boxing match, and then he creates an awkward moment by eating soap in front of Austin and their friends as a joke. This kind of unusual humor is characteristic of DeYoung’s directorial debut, but Mara treated this offbeat black comedy with the same level of professionalism she would any other role or genre.
Mara points out to The Hollywood Reporter that while something might be humorous, it may not elicit laughter if the necessary groundwork for the character hasn’t been laid.” For the nationwide theater release of Friendship on May 23, she offers this insight.
More recently, Mara completed work on Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard,” marking an unusual collaboration for her as she shares the screen with her real-life little sister, Rooney Mara. In this movie, they portray twin sisters, and in retrospect, Mara is grateful they delayed their acting together until now.
For quite some time now, we’ve been searching for a joint project. The initial challenge was locating a filmmaker that appealed to us both, but luckily, our tastes align significantly with Werner, whom we were equally thrilled about collaborating with. In the upcoming film, we portray characters who are equals in every sense, speaking and acting in unison. Our characters share the same dreams on screen, and their synchrony is so remarkable that it seemed almost impossible to find roles like these. Finding two roles where we’re essentially equals in numerous aspects was beyond our expectations, and it all just felt incredibly fitting.
Mara has been getting a lot of questions lately regarding the 2015 version of “Fantastic Four,” as its troubled production’s tenth anniversary is coming up in August, and the new film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” is set to hit theaters a month before. Mara has fond memories from her years working on this project since it was during this time that she met and eventually married her co-star Jamie Bell. Consequently, she’s excited to watch the latest adaptation of Marvel’s original superhero team, given her love for movies.
Mara expresses that the upcoming movie doesn’t spark any particular thoughts, good or bad. She enjoys going to the movies, and it’s her favorite pastime, particularly with her husband Jamie [Bell] and their children. The new Marvel film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is quite distinct from their 2015 version of Fantastic Four. Given that, she’s open to it. She admires the cast, including Pedro Pascal, and would definitely consider watching the new Marvel production.
In a recent chat with THR, Mara delves into the topics of camaraderie, reminiscing about her times working alongside David Fincher and the late James Foley while filming House of Cards.
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Did Friendship begin with an email like most things?
Andy DeYoung’s unexpected gesture was incredibly charming. Prior to our call via FaceTime, we hadn’t crossed paths before. His script captivated me instantly, and he turned out to be the most delightful individual. At that point, I wasn’t overly familiar with Tim Robinson. I hadn’t caught his show, I Think You Should Leave, but soon found myself binge-watching it all, thinking, “I simply must collaborate with this talented individual.” So, the opportunity was both thrilling and completely unexpected.
At what point does the boundary lie between Craig Waterman and Tim Robinson, and is it noticeable that he possesses an unusual level of energy naturally?
I’m not particularly close friends with Tim, but no, that’s not accurate. Based on my interactions with him, he appears to be a typical, kind family man who prioritizes being home with his wife and child. What is surprising, however, is that he possesses an extraordinary talent for comedy.
As we advance into maturity, there’s a common belief that men find it more challenging to form friendships compared to women. However, is this assumption valid for both genders? Could it be difficult for both men and women to make friends?
Absolutely, it seems likely. As we grow older, we become more self-aware and questioning, while children on a playground can ask “Can you be my friend?” without hesitation. It’s not something to feel embarrassed about. Building new friendships as adults does require more effort. I must admit, I don’t have personal experience with male friendships, but from my observations of female friendships and those with men like my husband’s friends or brothers’ friends, it appears that they can be quite distinct.
Have you ever felt rejected when trying to make a friendship, much like how Andy did? This situation seems to have sparked the concept of friendship for him.
Absolutely, I can relate to that situation. It’s quite common for people to suddenly disappear without a trace or explanation, leaving us puzzled. In modern terms, this is often referred to as being “ghosted.” I’ve certainly experienced it myself, where I found myself yearning for friendship with someone who, unfortunately, wasn’t interested in returning the sentiment. As an adult, such experiences can be particularly disheartening when they don’t get the desired response. That’s perhaps why that movie resonates so deeply with many of us.
Have you ever pondered over the idea that the end of friendships may cause more pain than the end of romantic relationships in the long run? Unlike friendships, when entering a romantic relationship, one often has high hopes, but subconsciously acknowledges that success isn’t guaranteed. Does it resonate with your experience that the loss of a friendship leaves a deeper wound over time?
Absolutely, I agree with your point. It seems to be less challenging to maintain lifelong friendships compared to sustaining long-term romantic relationships. Consequently, it’s likely that expressing feelings of hurt in friendship is equally or even more emotionally taxing as in a romantic relationship. So yes, you’re correct on both counts.
Friendships aren’t burdened by the same pressures and demands as seeking a “soulmate.”
Indeed, if you naturally attract a large circle of friends, it’s quite possible for you. On the other hand, should you prefer to have just a few close companions, then the absence or strain in those relationships might be felt more acutely.
Given that Friendship is an unconventional comedy, does the need arise to analyze character details as deeply as usual? Is it necessary to ponder why Tami finds charm in Craig or why she exhibits an atypical affection for her son? Does it truly matter when the purpose of this film is to elicit strangely humorous reactions?
In our performance, we treated the role much like handling any part or genre. We approached it with the intensity typically reserved for a heavy, dramatic piece. To make the job smoother, we thoroughly examined my character’s relationships within the film and answered questions such as “Why is she with this person?”, “What’s her connection to her child?”, and “Why is she a florist?” Although the script was comedic and intended to provoke laughter, I believe that the desired impact would not be fully achieved without careful preparation. This was our approach for portraying my character, as Andy and I understood.
Craig persuades Tami to embark on an underground expedition, and during their disagreement within the tunnels, he assures her he’ll catch up. Consequently, she consents, but not without casting a significant glance at him under the dim red light first. What was she subtly conveying in that moment?
“You motherfucker.” Something like that.
Be careful what you wish for.
Absolutely correct! It’s packed with numerous elements. We’ve zoomed in on it several occasions, and each time, my interpretation varied.
In traditional comedies, actors sometimes slip up, and these mistakes often appear during the closing credits. But since Friendship is a quirky comedy, what could a blooper reel for this show contain?
I’m eagerly seeking the opportunity to witness it! There must be one available. I think I’ll inquire if such an event will occur, as watching these moments is incredibly enjoyable for me. I’ve experienced numerous instances like this, and they were significant during my involvement with it. One particular scene that stood out was when Tami and her son, Steven (portrayed by Jack Grazer), shared a kiss on the lips while discussing the new Marvel project. This scene was particularly difficult to get through without laughing. Andy allowed the cameras to continue rolling, and he rarely cut the scene immediately after it ended, which resulted in some genuinely humorous occurrences during filming. I found this aspect quite challenging to maintain my composure.
The initial scene of the movie, where Tami and Craig are in a therapy group, surprisingly had me chuckling. This is odd given its serious subject matter – a support group for cancer survivors or those battling cancer. It requires a very exposed emotional state to engage with it authentically. Much of what transpired isn’t shown on screen, but the dialogue attributed to the group leader by Andy was hilarious. She seemed to be improvising a lot and her performance was outstanding. The scene had me teetering between the brink of tears and laughter, making for an entertaining experience overall.
Did the party scene also have a lot of laughter?
Wow, Conner O’Malley is absolutely hilarious! He had me in stitches during the movie. There was so much funny material that they couldn’t use all of it, but I was eagerly waiting for his next joke. That scene was particularly amusing, and Josh Segarra, who portrays Devon, did a fantastic job too. In those scenes, my role was minimal as I had to focus on staying in character while trying not to laugh at the antics unfolding. Those are the most challenging scenes because you want to enjoy them like a spectator and chuckle when you feel a laugh coming on.
Just now, you mentioned the upcoming Marvel release, “the new one in July said to be insane.” Are you at all intrigued by “The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps” perhaps, or was your interest in that storyline already satisfied a decade ago?
I truly enjoy going to the cinema. This activity ranks highest on my list of favorites, especially when my husband Jamie [Bell] and our children accompany me. We have an 11-year-old, so it’s likely we’ll attend, particularly for a film like this one that benefits from being viewed on a large screen with an audience and popcorn. Indeed, the experience is quite distinct from our 2015 Fantastic Four. As such, I am eager to see it. The cast looks fantastic, and I’m particularly fond of Pedro Pascal. Yes, I’d definitely watch the latest Marvel production (laughs).
Given that the film seemed to suit you and Jamie well, it’s not surprising that you’re comfortable delving back into the same subject matter.
Absolutely, the upcoming movie isn’t particularly noteworthy, good or bad. It’s a unique film, and as a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I find myself eagerly anticipating its release. I appreciate the experience of watching movies in a theater, finding it thrilling to be part of such an event. Additionally, attending movies in theaters benefits our industry, so it’s a win-win situation. I’m overjoyed that “Friendship” is currently playing in theaters and people are attending, as it will be even more accessible when it begins streaming. For me, the theater experience transcends ordinary entertainment; it’s one of life’s greatest joys. There’s something special about sharing a collective experience with strangers, whether it’s laughter during a comedy or tears in a drama. I vividly remember the emotional bond shared by strangers at The Vista here in L.A., while watching “Anora.” Similarly, the communal hysteria experienced during the midnight screening of “Friendship” at TIFF was unforgettable. To me, this shared experience is deeply meaningful and therapeutic. So, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to visit theaters and let their passion for cinema guide them.
You recently shot a Werner Herzog movie called Bucking Fastard.
The best title of all time!
Have you and your sister, Rooney, ever performed together before? Was there a hesitation from both of you throughout the years, due to concerns that the public might overemphasize your real-life sibling relationship?
It turns out that the project we’ve been waiting to work on together has finally arrived! Although playing sisters wasn’t our primary concern, it was definitely a bonus. We wrapped up “Bucking Fastard” a couple of weeks ago, and now it seems serendipitous that this was the role we were destined for. We received an email from Werner asking us to be part of it, and both of us are huge fans of his work. Finding a filmmaker we admire was the first challenge, but with our shared tastes and individual excitement about working with Werner, we were eager to take it on.
Afterward, it’s simply hilarious how we’re twinning as perfect counterparts, speaking and acting in harmony, even dreaming identically in the movie. Our roles were so synchronous, a match made in cinematic heaven. Finding two such equal roles was unexpected, but when we met Werner, it felt like destiny. So, there was no second thought, and the decision to collaborate seemed inevitable.
After a long stretch of turning down numerous father-son projects, Kurt and I, Wyatt Russell, have finally teamed up. It wasn’t easy for me to embrace the thought of our family bond becoming the focus of our work, but here we are, bringing our unique dynamic to life on screen.
Concerning that matter with my sister, I hadn’t given it much thought because our family is quite large and filled with actors. My spouse is an actor too, and we often receive opportunities to work together. That idea has indeed crossed my mind regarding Jamie, but in the case of my sister and this particular film, it wasn’t a factor.
I ended up going deep into a YouTube vortex and stumbled upon a video from 2011 where you and Oscar Isaac were performing a song together. Can you tell me about how that came to be?
In the film titled “10 Years,” both of us starred as romantic leads. In this movie, his character composed a song specifically for my character, which was also penned for the film and my persona. Oscar is someone I hold dear, with whom I have shared many years. When the movie premiered, we casually sang that tune together, marking the end of our little performance. I enjoy singing, and he’s exceptionally gifted at it, so it was all about having a good time. He’s an exceptional individual.
In my last message, I had inquired about the transition from working with David Fincher after 127 laptop-staring takes to a more conventional setup when the next House of Cards director arrived. That director was none other than James Foley, who tragically passed away yesterday. Could you share some memories or insights about James during our interview on May 9th?
In every scene, James radiated an incredibly contagious happiness and optimism. Even when things went awry or he needed reshoots with a new approach, his enthusiasm never wavered, accompanied by upbeat responses. Initially, this was quite surprising because it made one question whether the initial take was flawless. After all, I was accustomed to doing countless repetitions of simply staring at a computer screen for Fincher’s projects. Adjusting to James Foley’s energy proved challenging, especially after collaborating with Fincher, but eventually, you do acclimate to the new creative process. Both directors possess positive vibes, yet their energies were distinctly different. In summary, James Foley exuded the most infectious joy and was an exceptional human being.
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Friendship is now playing in movie theaters nationwide.
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2025-05-23 22:06