Latest news with #ErinKellyman
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson: It Would Have Been ‘Easier' to Finance a ‘Subpar' Genre Film Than Indie ‘Eleanor the Great'
Scarlett Johansson didn't have a great time finding financing for her feature directorial debut 'Eleanor the Great.' The indie drama, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, stars June Squibb as a grieving 94-year-old who relocates from Florida to New York City, where she befriends a young journalism student (Erin Kellyman). MCU alum and 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' star Johansson told THR that the film took 'forever to get made' in part because indies are so difficult to fund. 'It would be easier to make something that was the sequel of a $180 million movie or a genre movie that was subpar,' Johansson said. 'To get much, much, much less money for an independent film with an original story that has a lead actor who was 94 was very, very, very challenging.' More from IndieWire You Can Only See George Romero's Final Work Here - and No, It's Not a Film Mikey Madison Has Found Her First Role After 'Anora' Oscar Win with 'Reptilia' Johansson added that there was a 'humongous scramble' to even film in New York. 'Every day the movie fell apart in 400 different ways,' she said. 'It once looked like we were going to be able to get the majority of our money from an independent financing company and then right down to the wire, in order for them to make it, we would've had to completely dismantle the entire plot device that was driving the narrative engine of the film. It was crazy. At that point, everything just fell apart.' It wasn't until Sony Pictures Classics got on board that 'Eleanor the Great' had enough cash to actually, well, be great. 'They really got ['Eleanor'], and they came in and saved the day so that we could make our start date,' Johansson said of the studio. 'I am so grateful that there are companies out there that are still making original ideas and putting faith in first time directors.' Johansson will next act in Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme,' which also is debuting at Cannes. 'Whatever I work on next, regardless of the size or the genre, I would be looking for those same kinds of deep characters and it would be important for me to try to find performance-driven stories,' she said. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scarlett Johansson looks radiant in grey blazer and mini skirt as she attends photocall for her directorial debut Eleanor The Great in Cannes
Scarlett Johansson looked radiant as ever as she attended a photocall for her film Eleanor The Great at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. The actress, 40, has made her directorial debut with the film which received a five-minute standing ovation and prompted 'tears and cheers' from the crowds. Scarlett was all smiles at the photocall following the screening and looked incredible in a dark grey blazer and matching pleated mini skirt. The film star also wore a buttoned up white shirt and added height to her frame with a pair of matching heels. Wearing a light palette of makeup, Scarlett completed her look by letting her blonde locks fall loose dow her shoulders. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The actress, 40, has made her directorial debut with the film which received a five-minute standing ovation and prompted 'tears and cheers' from the crowds Joining her at the photocall was the film's main star June Squibb who wore a multi-coloured robe over a black top and trousers. Her co-star Erin Kellyman looked stylish in grey blazer with a striped detail and floral print which she paired with matching trousers. Eleanor The Great sees June's character, who converted to Judaism upon marriage, join a Jewish seniors social group, before discovering it is specifically for Holocaust survivors. Hoping to find companionship, Eleanor tells her friend Bessie's devastating story about her family's time in Auschwitz as if it is her own, before her lie spirals away from her in a very public way. The film, which Scarlett directed from Tory Kamen's screenplay, was met with a positive reception upon its premiere at Cannes, receiving a five-minute ovation. Scarlett described her directorial debut premiering at the film festival as a 'dream come true' and 'surreal' as she emotionally soaked up the positive reaction. However, critics were less convinced as it received very mixed reviews, with some branding it 'wobbly' and 'unconvincing' while others were more impressed by the 'powerful' and 'touching' release. The Hollywood Reporter led the charge in branding Scarlett's debut as 'wobbly' and 'unfulfilled' as its critic concluded that the film 'struggled to find its groove' despite a hopeful character-driven plot. 'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances,' they wrote. The Playlist was also left divided as it questioned whether viewers 'expected more' from Scarlett following her decades-long career as it described the plot as 'episodic'. 'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?' they asked, before praising June for being the film's saving grace. Variety described the release as an 'unconvincing crowd-pleaser' and, though they praised June's performance, it ultimately received a mixed verdict. 'The movie is an awards-season wannabe in every sense,' critic Owen Gleiberman noted, adding that the movie is always 'trying to squeeze a laugh out of you'. But it wasn't all bad news as the movie also received considerably more positive reviews from a range of other outlets, who praised its 'power' and raw emotion. Deadline gushed over Scarlett's 'wonderful and richly textured' debut and described Eleanor's story as 'beautifully realized' as they were overcome with emotion. 'There won't be a dry eye in the house for this one,' Pete Hammond wrote. The Times were won over by Scarlett's debut and critic Ed Potton insisted it hit 'the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny'. Variety 'There's no denying that as a character, Eleanor plays, giving Squibb an opportunity to strut her granny-with-an-attitude stuff. But you're always aware that the movie is trying to squeeze a laugh out of you.' The Hollywood Reporter 'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances.' The Playlist 'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?' The Times: Four stars 'Johansson and her excellent cast nail the big moments and revel in the small ones.' Deadline 'Scarlett Johansson's wonderful and richly textured feature directorial debut is a small but beautifully realized story of a 94-year-old woman.'
