How Director Daniel Reisinger Enlisted Billie Lourd, Colin Hanks for Bittersweet Rom-Com ‘And Mrs’

How Director Daniel Reisinger Enlisted Billie Lourd, Colin Hanks for Bittersweet Rom-Com ‘And Mrs’

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated countless virtual worlds and narratives, I must say that my real-life gaming experience was elevated significantly when I stumbled upon Daniel Reisinger’s heartwarming rom-com, “And Mrs.” This film is not just a delightful blend of humor and emotion; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, resilience, and human connection.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always curious to find connections between famous personalities. So here’s an interesting one: Billie Lourd, Colin Hanks, and Bette Midler – what do they share in common? Well, let me tell you, they all had quite the admiration for Daniel Reisinger!

The well-known Australian filmmaker, known for movies like “Sideswiped” and “Players”, shared with The Hollywood Reporter his method for assembling such a talented cast for a less common British romantic comedy. This year at the Edinburgh Film Festival, “And Mrs” is one of their out-of-competition world premieres.

The film written by Melissa Bubnic is not just a typical rom-com; instead, it tells the story of Gemma (portrayed by Aisling Bea), who finds herself heartbroken and shocked when her fiancé Nathan (Hanks) unexpectedly passes away months before their wedding. In an unusual yet charming attempt to uphold their love and escape from her personal sorrow, she embarks on a unique journey to arrange a posthumous wedding for him.

Lourd, the daughter of Star Wars legend Carrie Fisher, is Nathan’s zany and heavily pregnant sister Audrey, visiting from America. While Gemma fights her loved ones, who maintain her plan is ridiculous, Audrey helps her nearly-sister-in-law to get the legal approval they need to make the one-sided nuptials happen. With top performances from its supporting cast including Elizabeth McGovern, Harriet Walter, Peter Egan and Susan Wokoma, it’s a stellar ensemble. As always, it’s a masterclass in comedy from Lourd, who dropped a bombshell on Reisinger a few months before production was set to start.

One day, she calls me and says, “Listen, I’ve got some fantastic yet distressing news – I’m pregnant,” Reisinger tells THR. “And I replied, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s wonderful! Clearly, it’s incredible.’ She then adds, ‘I’ll have to leave the film. I don’t want to, but I really want you to complete your movie, and I don’t want to be an obstacle.'”

How Director Daniel Reisinger Enlisted Billie Lourd, Colin Hanks for Bittersweet Rom-Com ‘And Mrs’

Initially, Reisinger sought a solution to keep Lourd involved in the project as she was the backbone of their movie. “She was the cornerstone of our film,” he stated. Thus, they devised a strategy where Audrey would stand-in for a gay couple from the U.S., with Lourd playing her pregnant role on set while seven months along. Reisigner exclaimed, “I challenge you to find a more convincing portrayal of an actually seven-month pregnant woman in a comedic role than hers! Was Frances McDormand pregnant during Fargo? She wasn’t; she merely used a pregnancy pillow. ‘It’s the only comparison I could think of,’ Reisigner added, ‘I’m not certain if she was even pregnant in that.’ Observe the film closely, and you will see she is seated in almost every scene.”

In the movie, Colin Hanks is mostly seen in flashback sequences as it portrays the initial stages of Nathan and Gemma’s romance. Interestingly, he joined the production quite late. As the director explains, their first meeting was through a Zoom call, which can sometimes feel awkward when you don’t know each other well. The director was in Paris at the time, and it was already midnight there, so he had to keep it brief. “Colin,” he said, “it’s midnight here, so I don’t want you to think I’m being rude because I know you’re busy filming in Atlanta, but we only have half an hour.” However, their conversation stretched on until three in the morning. The director goes on to praise Colin, calling him a wonderful person, incredibly charming, and sensitive.

Bea is undeniably referred to as “the most exceptional actor I’ve had the pleasure to work with.” She possesses a unique blend of humor and dramatic intensity that makes her stand out. Born in Ireland, she showcases an extraordinary talent and is truly a force to be reckoned with on screen, often described as an “impressive powerhouse actress.”

Lourd, Hanks, and Bea are bonded by a common thread – personal grief. Lourd’s mother Fisher and grandmother Debbie Reynolds passed away tragically close in time in December 2016. Hanks, often referred to as a “global treasure” by Reisinger, lost his mom at a young age, while Bea experienced the loss of her father due to suicide at the tender age of three. This shared experience created what the director described as a tight-knit group.

In January 2022, Serina, his mother, passed away due to COVID-19; a week following this tragic event, they received approval from Universal for the production of “And Mrs.“. Reisinger expressed that it seemed as if his mother was guiding them in the film. They aimed to help people find humor amidst their tears during the making of “And Mrs.“. While laughter may seem inappropriate when discussing grief, there are instances when it is necessary for many individuals.

In this setting, Reisinger shares one of the most touching backstage stories about the creation of “And Mrs“. His mother, a big Bette Middler fan, sang “The Rose” by herself just before she passed away. “My mum adored singing [despite having] no musical skill whatsoever,” he says. “I’m sure tone-deaf people would be annoyed by my mum’s voice, and we all share her lack of musical talent. So we were all gathered around her, belting out “The Rose” as loudly as we could. And in her final moments, my mum opened her eyes one last time and looked at us all.”

The following day, she passed away, yet Reisinger sought to include “ The Rose ” in his movie. Eagerly, the team approached Middler for her consent, and she promptly agreed. “If my mother had known that Bette Midler had any idea of who she was – please forgive my language – my mum would have been overjoyed.”

As one of the crew members who’ve experienced loss, I was granted the heartwarming chance to honor that special someone by dedicating my work in the film’s closing credits. This made me incredibly joyous as I brought my contributions to life in the enchanting city of Edinburgh.

“This is an unparalleled chance I can’t contain my enthusiasm for,” Reisinger expresses, further praising EIFF director Paul Ridd who wrote such a heartwarming letter to secure the movie. He even shared it with the entire team involved in its production. In conclusion, Reisinger confirms that rom-coms are his lifelong passion. For those missing their regular dose of romance, And Mrs offers a unique twist for rom-com enthusiasts. “I hope this film provides comfort and solace to you,” he adds.

The film “Mrs” will have its first showing on August 19 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. In the United Kingdom, it is set to be released on September 2 through Vertigo, while in the United States, it’s scheduled for release on September 30, also via Vertical.

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2024-08-16 21:55