Alison Brie’s Codependency with Dave Franco Was an Asset on Together

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Working alongside her real-life husband Dave Franco isn’t Alison Brie’s first collaboration, but their experience on the new Sundance film directed by Michael Shanks might just be the most enjoyable they’ve ever shared in a project together. I had the pleasure of chatting with Brie at The Vulture Spot in Park City, where she discussed this genre movie (no spoilers!). The film delves into the codependency of a long-term couple after a move to the countryside puts their relationship and physical wellbeing to the test.

Hey there! As a fellow movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say congratulations on your latest creation. I was just hanging out in the background during one of Dave’s Zoom calls, munching on yogurt, when they began discussing their shared passion for horror and genre films. Shanks praised Dave for his directorial debut, ‘The Rental’, and mentioned having a new script up his sleeve. He floated the idea of sending it to Dave, which he did after reading it. As soon as Dave read it, he was hooked! He then shared a short film called ‘Rebooted’ with me, written and directed by Shanks. With its captivating storyline, Dave suggested we star in this project together, produce it, and bring it to life. And guess what? I couldn’t agree more! Let’s make this happen!

Are you and Dave frequently asked to collaborate on projects? While we enjoy working together, we are quite choosy about the roles we accept. If an offer comes for something other than us playing a romantic pair, would that feel odd or disruptive? We don’t want to come off as overbearing, but we are conscious of not wanting our frequent appearances together to seem cloying. However, this opportunity seems to fit well with our vision.

Speaking as someone who shares a similar decade-long journey with my partner, I found the film’s portrayal of a codependent couple deeply resonant. As we strive for balance in our relationship, we could relate to their complex dynamics, which added an authentic layer to the narrative. Interestingly, this shared experience was beneficial off-screen too, as the movie demanded a high level of physical closeness – not in a romantic sense, but rather in a profound and intimate way that only long-term partners can understand.

What impact did Shanks’ experience in Visual Effects (VFX) have on his approach and the creation of the movie? Given the numerous elaborate scenes in this film, our initial discussions with Shanks revolved around the effects since he personally handled over 100 VFX shots during editing. This aspect, along with his expertise, is a significant reason we placed our trust in him. The movie presents some daring elements. There are strange sequences, as you might imagine, and we found ourselves asking, “If I’m going to contort my body into these unusual positions, will you make it visually appealing later?” We relied on Shanks to deliver on that promise.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with numerous fresh talents – both directors and writers. These newcomers bring an infectious enthusiasm and unique perspective to my process, which can be invigorating and refreshing. They often approach projects with a sense of fearless ambition, driven by years of nurturing their ideas, making it a thrilling journey to share in their creative vision.

How have your experiences at this festival evolved as you’ve attended it seven times? To begin with, my first few visits were spent here with two of my closest friends, and we often indulged in quite a bit of partying. Last night, I was discussing this with Dave, and he asked if I tended to stay near Main Street during the festival. I confessed that, honestly, I can’t recall where I stayed. All I can remember is struggling through the snow and thinking we can’t find a cab. One year, we even crashed on Ludwig Göransson’s pull-out couch, and I distinctly remember passing out after eating lime-flavored Tostitos.

I’ve been back and forth due to movies I’ve acted in, such as “Sleeping With Other People”. Additionally, I’ve appeared in films like “Kings of Summer”, where I exclaim, “let’s get this party started!”. My first film here was Michael Mohan’s “Save the Date” with Lizzy Caplan, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend and many others. We all lived together in a house, including my two closest friends sharing a bed. This was my initial festival experience, filled with youthful excitement about the movie, attending every lounge, receiving free merchandise, and crashing on sofas.

The last time I visited was five years ago, during the production of “Horse Girl”. That was my initial screenwriting venture, collaborating with Jeff Baena, and also my debut as a film producer. Unlike that project, which was already on Netflix, we weren’t trying to sell it, but it marked a new chapter in my career. This current experience feels similar, as we’ve been involved in this production for two years now, from the development phase to shooting and post-production. It seems more mature and professional compared to the early, somewhat disorganized days of my beginnings here.

Reflecting on Sleeping With Other People, one of my favorite films of yours, I found myself pondering if there’s a shift in how we discuss codependency nowadays, given our extended periods of staying at home during COVID. Could it be that my attachment to this movie runs so deep due to my own personal struggles with codependency? That’s quite amusing. It’s been a while since I delved into the nuances of Sleeping With Other People, but the protagonist in that film was indeed attempting to break free from her codependent relationship. In contrast, your movie Together presents two characters on opposite sides of this issue. Dave’s character is apprehensive about intimacy, despite their long-term cohabitation that doesn’t include marriage. On the other hand, my character is fearful of leaving the relationship, exhibiting true codependency within the dynamic. The film as a whole delves into these complexities while also highlighting the benefits of intimacy.

Prolonged time spent together in a relationship, especially during COVID-19, often means sharing air, food, and even clothes. With similar friends and activities, it can become challenging to maintain one’s personal identity and individuality. This film portrays this concept to the utmost extreme.

What piece of advice about healthy relationships would resonate most in a storyline about interdependence?

Over the past 13 years with Dave, there’s been a significant change in how quickly I open up about my feelings. Coming from a family that’s more passive-aggressive, I’ve been accustomed to masking emotions and saying “I’m fine” for extended periods. However, Dave is an exceptional communicator who can read between the lines. He’d often notice when I used a high, strange voice as a hint that something was amiss.

Now, instead of waiting two weeks to share what’s bothering me, I express my feelings within 20 minutes, which I consider a remarkable improvement, considering my initial reluctance.

That’s really good. Congratulations!
It’s a journey. It’s a lifelong journey.

Have you ever wondered which project with Dave has been the most enjoyable for me? Well, let me tell you, it’s the making of that movie! Now, here’s a fascinating fact – Dave and I wrote that script together, he directed it, and I was the lead actor. I thought this collaboration was the peak of fun because it felt like we had some sort of mental telepathy, given that we co-authored it and communicated so effortlessly on set.

What makes it exciting is applying that concept to our film project. This production spanned 21 action-packed days, which might seem daring given the timeframe. We found ourselves racing back to our positions to grab one more take, as if saying, “You only get one chance, go!” It was a blast working together with my partner, my soulmate, who I share an instant understanding with. This connection saved us valuable time on set and it was thrilling to see him step out of his comfort zone too. In short, we’re both going crazy in this movie!

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2025-01-25 23:54