Molly Gordon Calls Sundance Movie ‘Oh, Hi!’ “Wish Fulfillment For All of Us Women”

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Just like ‘Misery’, but with a comedic twist,” Molly Gordon describes her upcoming film, titled ‘Oh, Hi!‘, set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival.

The seemingly contradictory tagline proves surprisingly fitting. In this Sophie Brooks-directed film, the central characters, portrayed by Gordon and Logan Lerman, enjoy a typical early-stage relationship getaway filled with natural wine, farm stands, and a serene AirBnB reminiscent of a Dôen advertising campaign. However, their peaceful weekend takes a turn for the worse when they discuss their relationship status and Gordon’s character, Iris, forcefully detains Lerman’s character, Isaac, against his will in an attempt to persuade him that they could be compatible.

Prior to the movie’s debut in Park City, Gordon (who has recently lost her childhood home due to the fires in Los Angeles) and Brooks had an interview with THR. They discussed topics such as dating apps, casting Lerman, and the idea that “a woman can be just as much of a soft boy as a man”.

Before the movie’s release in Park City, Gordon (who lost her childhood home in the LA fires) spoke with Brooks for an interview with THR. They chatted about dating apps, choosing Lerman, and how women can be just as soft-natured as men.

How did you two meet?

Molly and I first connected through our parents in a heartwarming manner. Our parents had collaborated on a film over a decade prior. During my mid-20s when I was grappling with an existential dilemma, my father suggested that I needed to consult a female director promptly. He then reached out to Jessie Nelson [renowned for films like “I Am Sam”], who acted as my mentor, showing tremendous kindness. One day, during our conversation, she said, “You’d truly appreciate my daughter,” and thus introduced us.

GORDON My mom is truly remarkable as she guides and supports emerging female artists. Her entire life is devoted to fostering new talent in the industry and aiding them through its various challenges. What I appreciate the most is witnessing my mother’s resilience in the face of this tough business. Nothing lasts forever, and this truth seems particularly relevant right now. The concept for this movie originated from my mom’s philosophy; Sophie and I have always stood by each other during difficult times. My mom often advises, “Find another solution. Experiment with different approaches, and keep many projects going at once.” That’s the only way to endure in this industry. It’s that persistent energy that inspired Sophie and me to create [Oh, Hi!] together.

And how did the story come about?

By the onset of COVID-19, we had been friends for six years. Coincidentally, we were both residing in our childhood homes in L.A., and I was frequently socializing with three other individuals, among them being Molly. Our friendship blossomed over shared experiences, particularly heartaches. We both experienced significant breakups around the same time – mine occurred in my late 20s, while Molly’s happened in her mid-twenties. I found myself guiding her through a healing journey. The concept for Oh, Hi! was an amusing one that allowed us to explore our most outlandish ideas and impulses, all the while staying true to something deeply important to both of us – telling a story about what it means to be a woman in today’s world seeking love. Our culture often portrays women yearning for love as pathetic or embarrassing, while men pursuing love are romanticized. I aim to challenge this narrative. Being human involves the desire for connection, and I believe we found excitement in exploring familiar tropes that we found humorous and absurd. Molly and I frequently discuss how this movie represents: If we were 10% crazy, what would we do?

GORDON Essentially, Sophie and I performed the movie ourselves during its creation. It was like a theater workshop for us as we uncovered the story. We eventually staged it in my old childhood home, which no longer exists, but it was a place where my friends and I shared many memories together. I consider myself incredibly fortunate that this movie emerged from such a creative environment. The only thing I can express about how bittersweet this experience is that the movie will endure forever, and I’m grateful to have something that reminds me of how imaginative the house was. This [movie] truly represents our collective dreams as women. At times, you simply yearn for someone to give you a platform to talk. Although I would never do what Iris does, there were moments in my life when I wished I could. It was enjoyable to explore that concept. What if I allowed myself to express my desires freely?

What was it about contemporary dating that you wanted to show in Oh, Hi!?

AMY After my significant relationship ended, I found myself venturing into the world of dating apps for the first time. It left me quite surprised. Prior to that breakup, I hadn’t dabbled in this realm, but I discovered that modern dating culture had somehow distilled the complexities of human interaction into something that felt almost unjust. Everything seemed to demand less and less. Molly and I bonded over our shared assertiveness, as the fear of being “too much” is a common struggle. The situations I encountered were also rather amusing at times. I found myself on numerous dates where I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is this really how things are?

GORDON People were saying, “I don’t want to have a child with you.” In response, it felt as if I was saying the same thing: “I don’t want to have a child with you, too.

BROOKS I asked, “Do you want to get coffee?”

GORDON I’ve been in similar situations too. Being treated to lavish dinners, always with natural wines, and they would say, “Oh, I’m not interested in anything serious.” It leaves one puzzled. There seems to be a disconnect in our communication. We, Sophia and I, often find solace in Nora Ephron films, and we’ve always agreed that dating can be quite challenging. It’s tough. However, I believe that in today’s world, with social media, it’s harder for us to truly connect face-to-face. This movie has made me reflect on times when I wasn’t entirely transparent about my intentions from the start. It’s not just a critique of modern men, but also a reflection on our own behaviors.

REPHRASED-BROOKS Just like a man can exhibit feminine traits, a woman may identify with masculinity, often referred to as being a ‘soft boy.’ However, society’s perception of gender roles tends to label a woman expressing such traits as ‘crazy,’ which the movie explores and dissects.

How did you cast Isaac? It’s a hard role because it could very easily be too unsympathetic.

SARAH Let me start by noting that it requires a very brave individual to declare, “I’m willing to remain bound throughout an entire movie.

BROOKS Finding the right actor for that part was quite challenging. We had difficulties locating someone suitable for it. It’s a delicate balance, as Molly mentioned earlier. This film is not intended to disparage men.

GORDON We love men! It’s our downfall!

BROOKS We deeply care for male characters. It was crucial that the actor portraying Isaac wasn’t perceived as a jerk, but rather a complex individual with his own issues. Portraying him as one-dimensional would not do justice to the story and wouldn’t make for an engaging film. Therefore, we were determined to find an actor who could convincingly play a character who is fundamentally good, yet intricate and capable of being self-centered in certain situations.

AS A FAN, I’M THRILLED We could have cast someone infamously unpleasant for this role, but I believe his natural talent was perfectly suited for it. What truly excites Soph and me about the film is its candid portrayal of intimate moments. It’s a depiction of a couple navigating their way through new experiences, and it doesn’t always look flawless – which makes it all the more authentic.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-01-26 20:25