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Brian Dennehy as Ernie and Helen Hunt as Jeannie in EVERY DAY, a film by Richard Levine. Photo courtesy of IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT. All rights reserved.

Every Day (2010/2011)

Opened: 01/14/2011 Limited

Trailer: Click for trailer

Websites: Home

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Rated: R for language, sexual content and some drug use.

Synopsis

From the outside, it looks like Ned (LIEV SHREIBER) has a perfect life -- a lovely wife, Jeannie (HELEN HUNT), two healthy sons, a high-paying job as a television writer and a beautiful home. But cracks are starting to show around the edges. Ned's oldest son, Jonah, (EZRA MILLER) is 15, and wants a lot more independence than Ned is comfortable with. Jeannie's grumpy father, Ernie, (BRIAN DENNEHY) has come to live with them, and Jeannie is quickly becoming overwhelmed by her father's constant demands and negative outlook. Ned's boss, Garrett, (EDDIE IZZARD) isn't liking any of Ned's writing, contributing to Ned's crisis of confidence and general discontent with the circumstances of his life.

So when Garrett suggests that Ned work with his sexy colleague Robin (CARLA GUGINO) to improve his script ideas, Ned jumps at the chance to get out of the house and away from his routine. Beautiful and fun-loving, Robin lives life to the fullest, with champagne and moonlight swims in her private indoor pool. Robin quickly lets Ned know she's interested in more than just working with him, and, Ned intoxicated by her charm and the freedom of her lifestyle, knows he is treading on dangerous territory.

Back at home, Jeannie grows increasingly suspicious of Ned's extended absences and apparent lack of interest in their family. Jeannie confronts Ned and Ned begins to see what is at stake. When Ezra gets into trouble at a party, Ned realizes how much his family needs him, and discovers what is really important in life.

Filmmaker Q&A with Richard Levine

The movie was inspired by a period of time in my life I felt compelled to write about. Although many of the specifics were unique to my situation, I felt that the dynamics of a middle-aged guy trying to navigate the bumps of a long-term marriage, raising kids, and taking care of sick parents, were all things so many people I knew were struggling with. Add to that, a gay son who came out at the age of 14, and a rather colorful job in the TV world that I knew was entertaining and unusual, and it felt like an original movie about ordinary things that so many people are confronting every day as they get older.

I have two. The first is the scene towards the end when Ned picks Jonah up after Jonah's been to the gay club, and Ned's been punched in the pool. I love that scene. I think both Liev and Ezra are brilliant in it, each of them knowing the other's lying. I'm always moved by Liev's loving gesture and the way it affects Ezra in such a deep way. What isn't said is always important to me as a writer, and what isn't said in that scene speaks volumes. I also love the scene where Helen massages Ernie's feet. I think both she and Brian Dennehy are extraordinary in their deeply felt simplicity, and the silences between them are so full and complex.

To quote the Philosopher Marcus Aurelius, "Life is more like wrestling than dancing." That it's not always an easy ride. People die, people who are close to you. Marriages go through ups and downs and there's no way to prevent that -- it's how you ride them, process them, embrace them that matters. And having kids is full of the unexpected. No one escapes without going through it. But can you go through it and have the challenges unite you or pull you apart? Always worth exploring.

Well, I love writing because when I write I'm directing, as well, only everyone in my version does it exactly like I want. It's a solo process, and for someone who's as controlling as I am, there's nothing better. On the other hand, directing is an enormous challenge that I am still in the process of learning. I do love the collaborative part of it because I come from an acting background and I love working with wonderful actors and helping to shape a performance. I'm always so moved by watching such skilled artists translate what's on the page to a moment that's charged and full of thought and feeling. And I enjoy being a part of that process.

And then there's editing which brings me back to my controlling nature, and how much fun it is to continue sharpening both performance and the movie as a whole in the quiet of an editing room.

Directing this movie only made me more excited to direct another. The learning curve was tremendous and I'm so incredibly grateful to Ambush for embracing this movie and giving me the opportunity to bring it to life.