Eric Edelstein – Flower

By starrymag | April 2, 2018

By: Taylor Gates

 

 

Q) What was your initial impression of Flower when reading the script for the first time?

 

A) I thought it was hilarious and hit all the right notes.

 

Q) What drew you to this project?

 

A) Max Winkler is one of the great guys and talents in this town. I loved Ceremony and the performances in it. I could tell he was an actor’s director and damn is that true.  I also am such a fan of everything Roughhouse does and how they approach work.

 

Q) What was the audition process for this film?

 

A) I met with Max and Brandon James at Roughhouse and I think we all had the same idea about who Dale was and we all just laughed a ton and had a blast. At the time they were casting I had Green Room out where I played a skinhead bouncer, so I think they felt comfortable with me playing a questionable human the right way.

 

Q) Did the script change much from the beginning of the process to the end, or did it remain pretty similar?

 

A) Max is really collaborative and so is Zoey [Deutch] so things always felt loose and free. The script was so good no one wanted to mess around too much just add little things here and there that they found on the day.

 

Q) Was there any improvisation while shooting?

 

A) Yes, there was and good luck keeping a straight face around Kathryn Hahn when she’s rolling. Honestly, she is one of the funniest and most real humans on the planet.

 

Q) How did you prepare for this role? Did you do any research or base your character off of anyone?

 

A) I’ve met a couple police officers who when you get them out really get kind of crazy partying and stuff.  I just thought of Dale as an idiot who abused his power, got in way over his head, and got his karma quickly and wonderfully.

 

Q) This film premiered at both the Tribeca Film Festival last year as well as SXSW this year. What was it like to be selected for both of those?

 

A) That was such great news. Movies are like an alchemy and when you find out people are responding to it it’s great, especially a movie like this that was shot for no money in no time. A lot of times it doesn’t work out. SXSW is a great festival especially when the music is rolling. I just got back from premiering a movie called Family at SXSW and got to see some great live music. I can heartily recommend Rayland Baxter, the great Paul Cauthen and The Texas Gentlemen for anyone who is looking for great live music. Put on Rayland Baxter’s Imaginary Man album and you will be transported and happy! The excitement and happiness from new Music I got from SXSW is unlike any other festival.

 

Q) The entire film was shot over a period of only 16 days. What’s the most challenging part of a short timeline like that? And did there end up being any upsides to it?

 

A) I come from an improv background so it’s fun for me to move quickly and get it quick. The challenging part is showing up prepared and finding a connection. With actors as great as Zoey and Kathryn, they can carry you all day so it felt like a breeze.

 

Q) Tonally, this movie is very complicated, as it has elements of both drama and dark comedy. What was the vibe like on set?

 

A) Joyous and fun. Max and Zoey created that and it made it so fun to go to work. The crew was wonderful. Our cinematographer Carolina Costa was a badass to the first degree and was such a secret weapon for this movie. She kept the clowns inside the circus tent and allowed us to keep moving with light and love.

 

Q) A lot of your scenes are with breakout star Zoey Deutch. What was it like working with her?

 

A) Zoey is as kind as she is talented and it’s a marvel to watch her carry this movie. She’s so damn good and her success couldn’t happen to a better person. I had no clue her mom was Lea Thompson and I’m glad because I would have been nervous around Lorraine McFly’s daughter.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming Flower?

 

A) Working with Kathryn Hahn. Watching her was like watching Michael Jordan 1991 or Neil Young Desert Trip 2016 – a legendary artist at the top of their game.

 

Q) What do you think will attract people to this film?

 

A) I think it’s a really great story of a couple of kids who are wonderful weirdo outcasts who find each other when they need it most. The characters surrounding them are real and it’s as offbeat a comedy as you will see and hilariously unpredictable. And If you don’t like it Max Winkler and Zoey Deutch will give you half your money back.

 

Q) What message do you hope people take away from Flower?

 

A) That at that age you may feel weird and like an outcast, but all the good ones do and if you don’t you are doing something wrong. The weirdos always end up having the best lives and I bet Erica and Luke are bound for a very interesting and exciting lives after we leave them in Flower. Dale…probably not so much but who knows. Maybe the close call he got will lead him to re-evaluate his poor decisions and end up in an Ashram in India trying to do good. Probably not, but it sounds like a fun sequel, right? Right?