Jack Champion And Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Talk ‘Everything's Going To Be Great'
In Everything's Going to Be Great, directed by Jon S. Baird, Buddy and Macy Smart, respectively portrayed by Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney, are chasing the ultimate theatre dream with their two sons, Lester and Derrick, portrayed by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Jack Champion.
The family goes from city to city, living off of small producing contracts with local theatres. Buddy's lifelong dream of becoming a successful musical producer is closer than ever when he and Macy are offered a five-year contract to run a theatre in New Jersey, to the delight of their youngest son, Lester, and to the despair of their elder son, Derrick.
The two brothers could not be more different. Lester is passionate about theatre, musicals and he is following in his father's footsteps, whereas Derrick loves American football and hates the idea of moving to New Jersey.
Bryan Cranston as Buddy and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Les in Everything's Going to Be Great. Photo ... More Credit: Peter H. Stranks
Lester is often bullied at school, and throughout the movie, the teenage boy keeps imagining that he can talk to his theatre heroes. In one hilarious scene, Lester imagines that his bully is being surrounded by naked hippies as he starts singing a song from the musical Hair.
'Les is such a brave and eccentric character. Throughout the script, there were these moments where he interacts with those imaginary heroes of theatre, and that was amazing to research and get into as an actor. I think Les is so brave in that moment, he sees an opportunity to be him. Les is just Les, he's utterly unique. That moment is definitely a standout moment of him being just him.'
In the film, Cranston's character tells Lester 'You have to dream things into happening', so I asked the two actors how this quote applied to their careers and how they envision their future.
Ainsworth said, 'The film deals with those themes of hope and in the face of adversity, pushing forward and following your dreams. So I think for me personally, it is just following those footsteps, and when things get rough, picking yourself back up, and those around you back up, just like the characters in the film, facing your dream and going for it.'
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth
Champion added: 'I agree with that, I think you have to dream things into happening and you just have to have your vision and motivation and like Benjamin said, help those around you. Like if I'm ever in England and Ben's like 'Hey man, I need help with this self tape!' I'm like, 'I'm there bro, I got you!' So I think it's also helping each other out.'
Music and theatre is a vital, communal experience in the movie, and it ultimately brings the Smart family together. In the car, they all start singing their heart out their favorite songs, with the exception of Derrick, who timidly sings along with them, without anyone really noticing. I asked Champion how the way Derrick is acting in those scenes helped him get a better grasp at who his character was.
He said, 'I think it shows that Derrick grew up in that family and to me, it's just second nature, he knows those songs by heart, so even if he doesn't sing with his full energy and chest, he just goes along with it because that's pretty much all he's ever done.'
Jack Champion as Derrick
I also asked the two actors which song or theatrical experience immediately brings them back to their families and loved ones in their personal lives. Champion said, 'Hamilton! I feel like every mom knows the whole soundtrack, it's not unique, but it's definitely me and my mom!'
Wainsworth added: 'We have this local theatre, the East Riding Theatre, it's a lovely place that we go to and visit every winter, so going back there with my family is definitely my main memory when it comes to theatre.'
Everything is Going to Be Great takes place in 1989 and 1990, so I asked the actors how the costumes also helped them bring their characters to life.
Champion said, 'I feel like I was really embodying the character with the costumes. Derrick has this middle country-cowboy fancy, he's wearing denim on denim, blue jeans with a belt and buckle on it. He grew up traveling from big city to big city, but he wears himself as if he's like some cowpoke guy, and I think that to me, he's wearing his wannabe personality. That's when it came full circle for me.'
This interview contains important spoilers past this point.
Bryan Cranston as Buddy Smart
When Buddy tragically dies, the kids have to move to Kansas with their mother, where she grew up. After a few months, she realizes that she can still live her theatre dream, too, and so does Lester. The family goes back to the initial project of leading a bigger theatre.
The movie ends with Lester talking to his father, just like he was always talking to his imaginary musical icons. Right after that, Lester goes on stage, and even if we don't know if either of them will actually reach their career goals, the movie ends on a very hopeful note.
I asked the two actors if they had imagined what the futur holds for their characters. Benjamin said, 'It's always interesting to think 'Where is this character going to go? What could happen?' but I also think it's very important to be in the moment and kind of really feel what's going on at the time. And I think there is a beauty in not knowing what's going to happen to these kids, but to know that they are following the dream and that's what you end on, the theme of dreaming.'
Champion added: 'I imagined! Well, I think to me, it was the perfect balance of like, you don't dream so much to the point of leading your family into poverty and almost being homeless, but also the balance of like, you're at home in Kansas maybe for half the year, you make money, work small jobs, and the other half you go and support your dreams by going to New Jersey and do theater, that represents a realistic balance to me.'
Everything's Going to Be Great is now playing in theatres.
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