STACK #184 Feb 2020

FILM FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

and I had to drop out of that movie, so we kept in touch discussing what we were going to do together, and I guess she just felt like this was the one.” Despite the film taking its title from the famous George Michael song of the same name, Feig was adamant about not tail- coating the success of artist-focused films like Yesterday and Blinded by the Light . “I didn’t want to do a jukebox move and it had to feel organic,” he explains. “Aside from the title of Last Christmas , Emma had put a few placeholders into the script for some of George’s songs, but it wasn’t until his estate showed me a documentary that he directed for the BBC that I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, his music has to be the thing that ushers us through this film.’” With an infectious sense of joy, he describes how Michael’s music is infused into the story. “When you hear his lyrics and his music, it’s clear that his DNA is hard-baked into this. Also Emma knew George and had met with him about the script and he really loved it and wanted to be involved with the music. Even though he is not with us anymore, the movie was demanding him. So we started by clearing five of his songs to use in the movie, but by the time I got through post- production we had 15 songs in it.” With an ever present tone of optimism, Last Christmas is also riddled with other themes; some obvious and others subtle, and when asked what he would like audiences to take away from the film, Feig was excited to spread the message of goodwill. “Just the idea that we’re all in this life together. There’s so much divisiveness and intolerance going on right now, and fear of the other that it just feels like the right movie at the right time. I feel like this is the right antidote to just how exhausted we all are right now from all of the divisiveness that’s going on. It’s just a very good natured film about how to repair your life.” Returning to other important topical issues, we pose Feig a question that many have personally struggled with over the years: Christmas movies outside of the Christmas period – yay or nay? With a laugh, he has no hesitation responding, “Oh it’s a definite yay from me!” before enthusiastically elaborating on the matter. “I think there’s nothing nicer than checking in on It’s a Wonderful Life in the middle of summer. Christmas is such a great time of the year with feelings of charity and love and we completely forget about that when we get to the middle of summer.” Of course we reminded him that Down Under we do, in fact, celebrate Christmas

STACK caught up with director Paul Feig to talk about his British-flavoured – and George Michael-infused – rom-com, Last Christmas . Words Glenn Cochrane F ollowing a string of unmistakably American comedies like Bridesmaids , Spy and Ghostbusters ,

director Paul Feig has switched gears for his latest movie, trading his trademark brand of crass hilarity for a more reserved and nuanced British sensibility. The film is Last Christmas , a rom-com starring Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding and Emma Thompson, that weaves together a blossoming romance with a soundtrack comprised entirely of George Michael songs. When speaking with STACK about his love of Christmas movies, Feig took a stance on one of the most pressing issues of our time. “I know there’s debate, but I say that Die Hard is a Christmas movie,” he offers with a cheeky grin, adding that It’s a Wonderful Life and Love Actually are among his all-time favourites. Written by Emma Thompson and her husband Greg Wise, Last Christmas tells the story of Kate (Clarke), a reckless twenty-something whose run of bad luck sees her cross paths with a handsome stranger, Tom (Golding), and with an ongoing reminder to always ‘look up’, their story becomes one of romance, redemption and reinvention. While some might consider the film’s British flavour to be uncharacteristic of a prolific voice in American comedy, Feig explains there were no barriers. “My whole life has been influenced by British comedy and I actually felt very at home. We didn’t have too many references or jokes that wouldn’t work for an American audience and Emma and I compromised on some things so

• Last Christmas is out on Feb 12

Emilia Clarke & Paul Feig at the Paris Premiere

My whole life has been influenced by British comedy and I actually felt very at home

that they would work for all audiences. But overall, I think if you look at a lot of my comedy, it kind of does have that feel to it.” As it turns out, Feig’s appointment as director was a result of being originally attached to a

different project. “Emma and I were supposed to do Late Night together, the Mindy Kaling movie, and I flew to London to spend time with her to develop the character. We just hit it off and realised that we have a very similar sensibility. Eventually the scheduling didn’t work out

in the summertime – an oversight that amused him greatly. “Oh yeah. Then you should watch it when it’s cold. How weird would that be?"

F

.

U

.

.

R

G

T

H

N

I

E

R

W

E

V

I

18 FEBRUARY 2020

jbhifi.com.au