With directorGabriela Cowperthwaite’sOur Friend, opening in select theaters and On Demand tomorrow by Gravitas Ventures and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, I recently got to speak withJason Segelabout being part of such an inspiring movie. If you haven’tseen the trailer,Our Friendis based on the Esquire article“The Friend: Love Is Not a Big Enough Word”byMatthew Teagueand is about a family (Dakota JohnsonandCasey Affleck) dealing with terminal cancer and the close friend (Segel) that moves in to help them out. I recently watched the film and thought it was incredibly well done and featured terrific performances from everyone in the cast. In addition, as someone that has lost a number of close friends the past few years, the film was a beautiful reminder about the intricacies of friendship and the importance of making each day count.Our Friendalso starsJake Owen,Gwendoline Christie,Cherry Jones,Isabella Kai, andViolet McGraw.
During the interview, Segel talks about why he’s been selective with his recent acting roles and what it was about this project that pulled him in, howOur Friendweaves in a lot of humor and levity even though it’s dealing with serious subject matter, what was it like having people that knew the family watching them film, and more. In addition, he reveals why he was so nervous makingDispatches from Elsewhere, what the hardest thing is about doing comedy, and answers a fun question from hisFive-Year EngagementdirectorNicholas Stoller.
Check out what he say to say below and further down is exactly what we talked about and the official synopsis.
Jason Segel:
Here’s the official synopsis:
Our Friend tells the inspiring and extraordinary true story of the Teague family—journalist Matt (Casey Affleck), his vibrant wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson) and their two young daughters—and how their lives are upended by Nicole’s heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal cancer. As Matt’s responsibilities as caretaker and parent become increasingly overwhelming, the couple’s best friend Dane Faucheux (Jason Segel) offers to come and help out. As Dane puts his life on hold to stay with his friends, the impact of this life altering decision proves greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined.
