A fun-filled entertaining exclusive interview with director JOCELYN MOORHOUSE going in-depth into the making of THE FABULOUS FOUR.
SYNOPSIS: If three’s a crowd, four’s a party! THE FABULOUS FOUR is an uproarious comedy about a group of life-long friends (Sarandon, Mullally, and Ralph) who travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their best college girlfriend Marilyn (Midler). Over the course of one outrageous trip, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past resurfaces, and there are enough sparks, raunch, and romance to change all their lives in unexpected ways.
Directed by JOCELYN MOORHOUSE and written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly, THE FABULOUS FOUR stars Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Megan Mullally along with Bruce Greenwood, Michael Bolton, Sophie Van Haselberg, and a few fabulous felines.
Probably best known for her directorial features, Proof, How to Make An American Quilt, and The Dressmaker, as well as serving as writer on The Dressmaker and Proof, and producer on Mental and the acclaimed Muriel’s Wedding (both directed by her husband, director P.J. Hogan), Jocelyn steps into balls to the wall comedy with THE FABULOUS FOUR. But the big appeal of THE FABULOUS FOUR for Jocelyn is not just the comedy and a chance to stretch her directorial comedic wings, but that it’s a story that explores the multi-generational dynamic of older women teaching younger ones and vice versa, along with showcasing professional women of a certain age and their lifelong friendships with unresolved conflicts which allow vulnerabilities and layered life experiences to be explored. Jocelyn succeeds on every level, delivering a joyous and celebratory film set within a destination wedding theme.
Always a joy to speak with Jocelyn (as well as her husband PJ Hogan), this conversation was even more fun than our last given the tenor of the film and the lightness and joy that abounds within it, not to mention some very funny behind the scenes anecdotes. As you’ll hear, we dove into multiple facets of the making of THE FABULOUS FOUR, including:
- balancing humor, pathos, and enjoyment in the filmmaking
- casting; the good fortune and joy at having Midler, Sarandon, Ralph, and Mullally sign on for this film
- developing individual character traits by working with the individual women to bring their comedic talents to life while also exploring the vulnerability within each and giving each woman depth (Sherly Lee Ralph is standout)
- the importance of a story revolving around close female friendships of women of “a certain age”
- ensuring that these women were all educated, accomplished professionals, i.e., cardiac surgeon, botanist and successful entrepreneur, successful singer, successful actor
- working with legends; professionalism
- Making a comedy film with a small budget and cast while focusing on the importance of teamwork and having fun
- developing light and bright visual tone; balancing the lightness with more serious aspects of the story; interiors vs exteriors; working with cinematographer Robert Schaefer
- working with composer David Hirschfelder and blending a light and breezy score with needledrops
- carefully choosing locations; Savannah, Georgia, Key West, Hemingway House
- working with polydactyl cats
- the physicality of the actors with a human “cat fight” along with parasailing set-ups with rigging and harnessing for the actors
- embracing silliness
- finding balance and pacing
- the current “surge” of women in their 70s and beyond, defying stereotypes of aging and remaining active and dynamic on film
- shooting during the SAG-AFTRA strike with enforced restrictions
- methodical preparation and collaboration; enjoying the process and finding joy in the final product
- and more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 07/21/2024
THE FABULOUS FOUR opens exclusively in theatres on July 26, 2024.
