BTL Radio Show – 12/01/2025 with guests MICHELLE DANNER talking UNDER THE STARS and MICHAEL J. WEITHORN talking THE BEST YOU CAN

While today’s films and filmmakers may not be about holiday movies, they do fit with the love and laughter of the holidays as MICHELLE DANNER joins me talking about her new film, the beautiful and romantic UNDER THE STARS, while writer/director MICHAEL J. WEITHORN is on hand discussing his fantastic film, THE BEST YOU CAN.

First, let’s turn our attention to Puglia, Italy, and UNDER THE STARS with MICHELLE DANNER.  Directed by Danner with a script by Victoria Vinuesa, UNDER THE STARS stars Toni Collette, Andy Garcia, Alex Pettyfer,  Eva De Dominici, Rob Estes, and Vincent Riotta.

UNDER THE STARS follows a struggling romance novelist named Ian played by Alex Pettyfer, in what I consider to be the best performance of his career, trapped in a lifeless relationship and plagued by writer’s block. Hoping to reignite his passion, he travels to Italy for inspiration – only to unexpectedly fall for Ariana, a spirited local who challenges everything he thought he knew about love and himself.  And as if that’s not enough, how about tossing in Ian’s aunt Audrey and Ariana’s father Giacomo?

In this exclusive interview, Michelle and I discuss UNDER THE STARS, highlighting its enchanting setting in Puglia, Italy, and the personal connection she felt there, inspired by her late Italian mother.  Emphasizing the importance of the cinematography in UNDER THE STARS, and the exquisite location, Michelle talks about her collaboration with her DP, Pierluigi Gigi Malavasi, to capture the romantic, beautiful setting.  Adding to the immersive nature of the film is the work of production designer Franckie Diago and costume designer Chiara Ferrantini, which enhances the visual appeal. Of course, the score is important in a film with romance and Italy, and for that, Michelle turned to composer Andrea Guerra, who delivers a beautiful score that was performed by a live orchestra.  An interesting element of this conversation is Michelle’s reflections on the relaxed Italian filming schedule and the joyful, uplifting nature of the film.

UNDER THE STARS is available now On Digital and On Demand.

Shifting gears but still enjoying the lightness and laughter and life, we turn our attention to writer/director MICHAEL J. WEITHORN and THE BEST YOU CAN.

I have long admired the work of MICHAEL J. WEITHORN, best known for his decades in television as creator, executive producer, and writer of the sitcom “The King of Queens”, as well as a writer for “Family Ties”, “True Colors”, and “Ned and Stacey.”  He has a gift not only for comedy, but also for the love, laughter, sorrow, and tears that come from everyday life.  Although he dipped his toe into the directing waters back in 2010 with the feature “A Little Help”, in addition to an episodic here and there, Michael has more or less stayed in the writing and producing lane; that is, until now, as he picks up his pen and steps into the director’s chair with the wonderful narrative feature THE BEST YOU CAN.

Reuniting Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon on screen for the first time in twenty years, THE BEST YOU CAN is a sharp, touching, and laugh-out-loud exploration of change, losing our bearings, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. This character-driven comedy is a reminder that sometimes the people who understand us best are the ones who are nothing like us.

A beautiful blend of comedy and drama, with THE BEST YOU CAN, Michael gives us a film filled with heart and humor, an ease of connection between the characters and the audience, and the blending of unlikely relationships that give way to some of life’s best moments.  For someone with a strong television background, together with his cinematographer Andrew Wonder, Michael steps out of the traditional three-camera format (thank you Desi Arnaz) and embraces more traditional cinematic lensing with camera movement that’s looser and playful, just like the growing dynamic between our two main principals, perfectly played by Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon.  THE BEST YOU CAN is warm and wonderful storytelling, especially at this holiday time of the year.

Written and directed by MICHAEL J. WEITHORN, THE BEST YOU CAN stars Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, along with Judd Hirsch, Brittany O’Grady, Meera Kumbhani, and Olivia Luccardi.

In this exclusive interview, Michael highlights the film’s blend of drama and comedy and the unique connection between characters from different backgrounds. He praised cinematographer Andrew Wonder for his contributions, particularly in creating a cinematic style and nuanced visual storytelling. Weithorn also credited editor Tricia Holmes for her skill in balancing the film’s tonal shifts and enhancing key scenes. He shared insights on casting Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, emphasizing their professionalism and commitment to their roles. Weithorn reflected on his growth as a director, stressing the importance of collaboration and casting.

THE BEST YOU CAN is now available On Digital.

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