Watch Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells Redefine Queer Characters and Break Hollywood Stereotypes

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David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano’s latest film “I Don’t Understand You,” now showing in cinemas through Vertical Entertainment, is a comedy that veers into the realm of horror movies around the halfway mark. However, it also served as a platform for these writer-directors — who happen to be a real-life couple — to portray gay characters that break away from typical Hollywood stereotypes.

In the movie, Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells portray Dom and Cole, a pair of men attempting to adopt a daughter, mirroring the experiences of Craig and Crano off-screen. After finding a mother willing to select them as parents, Dom and Cole embark on an anniversary journey to Italy, where misunderstandings escalate their actions from bumbling to lethal. Although the real-life inspiration for the story ended when the film’s violence began, Craig and Crano were thrilled to introduce a fully-fleshed out gay couple to the big screen.

In the film, Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells play Dom and Cole, a pair of men on a journey to adopt a daughter, similar to Craig and Crano’s real life. Once they find a mother who wants them as parents, they go on an anniversary trip to Italy where miscommunications make their actions go from awkward to dangerous. The real-life inspiration ended when the movie’s violence began, but Craig and Crano were eager to bring a well-rounded gay couple to life in the movie.

Crano points out that it’s seldom to encounter queer characters expressing joy or exhibiting complex emotions beyond stereotypes in films. He also notes the rarity of seeing queer characters portrayed as mean, particularly outside the high school context, or in roles other than the stereotypical ‘bitchy best friend’. One of the first things Andrew mentioned when he joined the call was how refreshing it was to find a script where his character wasn’t reduced to a stereotype, like “Ohh girl… and then what did he say?”. Some of their friends who are part of the LGBTQ+ community even questioned why they were being portrayed in such a manner when they read the script initially, and Crano responded by saying, “Have you met us?

After creating their characters, it became clear to them that they wished to place them in challenging scenarios, reminiscent of the films they were brought up watching.

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Having developed these characters, they decided to subject them to testing grounds similar to the tough situations portrayed in their favorite childhood movies.

Craig remarks that comedies from the ’90s often created their own unique universes, and once a setting is established, the story can freely explore it. He laments that modern films are heavily grounded in reality, which results in fewer movies like “True Lies” or “Death Becomes Her.” However, he believes that if comedy characters are genuinely and authentically portrayed, creators can take them to extraordinary places while maintaining audience engagement. In other words, they’re curious about how far they can push the boundaries of their characters’ worlds without losing the audience’s connection.

To create an authentic feel for a pair stumbling through Italy, Craig and Crano carefully crafted Dom and Cole’s actions to be embarrassingly relatable while avoiding stereotypical “Ugly American” behaviors.

In my opinion, as an American traveler, I believe we have particular expectations for comfort during our journeys. This might lead some to underestimate the richness and complexity of other cultures when we embark on our travels.

Crano explains that instead of keeping characters accustomed to Erewhon and the Alamo within their familiar comfort zones, he aimed to challenge them. This was similar to our experience while making a movie with an exclusively Italian crew. Through the filmmaking process, we managed to discover fresh aspects of the story.

Instead, the filmmakers aimed for the Italians that Dom and Cole engage with to have depth and complexity.

Crano explains that our intention was to portray the culture as belonging to us rather than them, but in a specific manner. We didn’t want to present Italians as scary, but instead reflect the warm and welcoming aspects of their culture we admire. Our depiction wasn’t based on shallow stereotypes, but aimed to offer a more complex portrayal because the characters were emotionally involved or had personal interests in these people. In essence, we aimed to add depth and complexity to the representation.”

Or simply:

“Crano stated that our goal was to make our interpretation of the Italian culture feel familiar to us, while avoiding negative stereotypes. We wanted to highlight the welcoming aspects of their culture, not present them as scary or intimidating. Instead, we aimed to create a nuanced representation by making the characters emotionally connected or interested in these people.

As they delved deeper into their work with a primarily local team in Italy, both filmmakers found their appreciation for Italian characters deepening. This immersive experience also allowed Craig and Crano to gain a richer understanding of Italy and its people, knowledge that often eludes the on-screen versions of these characters.

Craig expresses that it wasn’t just about the task at hand, but rather the enthusiasm. He explains that everyone was present, and this experience deepened his affection for filmmaking in an unique manner. It was more than just working; it was about the shared passion for creating art on set. Everyone was there not only because they had to work, but also because they genuinely appreciated each other and enjoyed collaborating. This demonstrated a genuine human aspect in our chosen profession.

Watch the trailer for “I Don’t Understand You” below.

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2025-06-06 22:47