Ed Burns Reflects on Gen-X Stories, From ‘The Brothers McMullen’ to ‘Millers in Marriage’

As a cinephile who has grown up watching the evolving tales of Gen-Xers, I am nothing short of captivated by Ed Burns‘ journey as a writer and director. His latest work, “Millers in Marriage,” is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of adulthood with an authenticity that only comes from years of experience.

In the 90s, numerous movies were produced that focused on Generation X, according to Ed Burns. Given his role as a writer and director for films like “The Brothers McMullen,” “She’s the One,” and “No Looking Back,” he was one of those who created these movies. Now, after three decades and a lot of personal development, he’s revisiting that theme for his 14th film, titled “Millers in Marriage.” This film tells the story of three adult siblings dealing with life and love, no longer as the troubled, unproven young adults they once were, but rather, individuals standing on the brink of middle age.

Burns mentioned to EbMaster that the stories we navigated during our twenties and thirties were all about character development, focusing on relationships and careers. However, now that Burns is in their mid-fifties, they started considering that period as another phase of personal growth or a second coming-of-age.

In the Toronto International Film Festival’s latest release, I find myself captivated by the story where I play an artist venturing into a romantic relationship with one of my ex-wife’s past colleagues, portrayed brilliantly by Minnie Driver. Juliana Margulies takes on the role of one of my sisters, a renowned author whose achievement outshines her spouse (Campbell Scott). Lastly, Gretchen Mol brings to life the character of another sister, a once-successful singer-songwriter grappling with an overbearing, alcoholic partner, played by Patrick Wilson.

Burns often doesn’t heavily rely on his personal experiences for inspiration, but he found himself deeply drawn to exploring the broader, philosophical questions of maturity. However, he acknowledges that some of the dilemmas his characters experience resonate more profoundly with him personally. “I was thrilled that we hadn’t seen a film that addresses the smallness of everyday life,” he recalls. “Are you still relevant? Does anyone care about what you have to say? Is it time for a fresh start, or are you just coasting along?” he wondered.

For a filmmaker who resorted to begging, borrowing, and stealing to bring his films to life, one concern stood out among others: “Is there someone willing to invest in this movie?” Joining forces once more with his long-term producing partner, Aaron Lubin, Burns crafted “Millers” using the same approach that has brought them success since their 2001 film, “Sidewalks of New York.

Edward Burns shared that the aim has been to create modest, character-focused films, with a target of one every couple of years. As he approaches the 30th anniversary of ‘Brothers McMullen,’ he’s grateful to continue this work and premieres his latest film at the Toronto Film Festival’s large venue, surrounded by talented actors. By our standards, we’re doing exceptionally well.

Burns attributes his success not only to being resourceful in his professional approach (“I’ve never had two films that were financed or distributed in the same way”), but also to maintaining a strong commitment to quality. When he felt that some of his past work wasn’t up to par, he recommitted himself to the principles that had made his earlier films successful. “As I approached the early 2000s, I just let the story guide me, and honestly, those films lacked a certain structure,” he admits. “So around 2010, I realized I needed to go back to basics.

Through Lubin, he not only set up a safety net but admits to doing so intuitively, although he considers himself fortunate. Aaron acts as a strict supervisor for him, always posing challenging queries. This has proven incredibly beneficial for him.

In “Millers in Marriage,” the characters provide a spiritual sequel to tales Burns told early in his career, hinting at a future project that will carry this theme more directly. He’s just completed the script for a follow-up to “The Brothers McMullen.” However, instead of providing an opportunity to revisit past triumphs, Burns explains that having a history – marked by both successes and failures – has given him the confidence to step forward more boldly than ever.

Over time, I believe my writing skills and filmmaking abilities have improved. This progression seems to be a natural result of gaining more experience.

2024-09-09 19:46

Ed Burns Reflects on Gen-X Stories, From ‘The Brothers McMullen’ to ‘Millers in Marriage’

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