When Robert de Niro And Sebastian Maniskalco is the new comedy star About my fathertheir opponent David Rashche, Anders HolmAnd Brett Dier nearly stole the entire movie from them both as Ellie’s people (Leslie Bibb) a very rich and very American family. Rasche plays Bill’s enthusiastic but caring father, Holm plays douchey brother Lucky, and Dier plays Doug’s socialist, bowl-loving youngest brother. Simply put, all three of these men are absolutely hysterical in both the film and the interviews.
I was lucky enough to sit down and talk with this cute trio we discussed About my fatherfleshing out sets, drawing parallels to people we know, and of course Successionin which some shocking truths are revealed by Rasche, Dier, and Holm.
COLLIDER: So first of all, I love the movie.
DAVID RASCHE: What do you like about him?
It’s just cute, it’s so sincere. This is a great movie that I could watch with my parents, and I’m always looking for the kind of movie that everyone can agree on.
RASCHE: I agree. I think it wasn’t produced, it wasn’t like some kind of template like any other movie, like, “Oh no, we’ve seen that. Okay, I understand. It takes you where you didn’t think you would go and takes you there, and I think that’s really fun, right?
Before. I love how it’s structured, almost like a rom-com, like stopping on a plane. It was almost more about the relationship with the father than the girlfriend.
ANDERS HOLM: Yeah, we’d never seen those rom-coms, rom-coms between fathers and sons.
So, Brett, I love your character because he really reminds me of one of my closest friends who was my college roommate. He came from a rich family, and then he said, “I’m a socialist,” and no one would take him seriously. And a few of your lines – I wonder, because Laura is talking about improv, how much improv is involved on set?
BRETT DIER: There’s a lot of improvisation, yes.
RASCHE: Both, we do what it says, and there’s always the freedom to add stuff.
DIER: Yeah, yeah, yeah, so there’s a lot of collaboration on this set, it’s amazing.
Sebastian got De Niro to play his father, and I’ve always loved talking to people about, “Oh, who would you like to play your parents in a movie?” So I already know you play their parent, but if you chose one of your parents in a movie with you, who would you choose?
HOLM: I’d go with Brian Dennehy.
DIER: Well, Billy Bob Thornton for my dad, yes, his head was shaved.
RASCHE: Oh my, my dad… I don’t know, I got no answer.
DIER: You don’t have any? Come on!
RASCHE: No, not really. I will think about it. Talk among yourselves.
SHELF: [To Dier] How are you?
DIER: Pretty good. You?
HOLM: I’m fine.
DIER: Got it?
RASCH: No…
DIER: Damn it.
HOLM: Moving on.
So how can you relate to Sebastian as I know you both come from comedy. Did you know him before the movie?
HOLM: No, don’t know him. The opportunity came to me in the same traditional way, the manager of this agency called, and said, “Hey, this movie is being developed, there’s a role you can play,” and I zoomed in with Sebastian, shot some scenes, and I was lucky enough to get a gig.
I also really want to ask, can you keep your sobriety bowl? Did you take them home?
DIER: No, but that flute is actually my flute, so the flute in the movie, I have that.
RASCHE: Which college did you go to?
I went to Ball State in Indiana.
DIER: I’ve never been to Indiana.
HOLM: It’s right around the corner.
Yeah, like three hours away.
HOLM: Let’s go find the fireworks.
DIER: Have you ever taken a sound bowl class?
No, I do not have.
DIER: They’re interesting.
So I know you’re active Succession, and I feel like I’m the only one here who doesn’t have one! I’ve been wanting to watch it for a long time.
RASCHE: You and these two people.
DIER: I haven’t actually seen it.
SHELF: I not up to date.
RASCHE: They don’t know anything. They don’t see it, they don’t read the newspapers, they don’t know anything.
HOLM: I was talking about– I just watched Season 1 the day we met, and I was like, “Yeah, I watched Successionthis is amazing,” and you’re like, “Mhmm…” But I don’t put it together… [laughs]
Sell it to them and to me?
RASCHE: Just like my sons.
DIER: You know what I watch? Inside the Circle. It was fantastic.
RACE: Inside the Circle? It’s a great movie! Great. Funny movie. On the Loop, did you ever watch that?
I haven’t seen that yet!
RASCHE: Armando Iannucci? The one who did Veep do it. But let me tell you, working on this film was as much fun as I’ve ever had, and working with Robert De Niro was more fun than working with any other actor. God, was she fun to work with. He’s so cute and–
DIER: More than me?
RACE: Lots! More! Oh, not even a comparison. He is absolutely awesome, everything you could ever imagine and hope for, and more. Yes, it was a lot of fun, a pleasure to work with.
Is there a nerve there?
RASCHE: Very much. Once they said, “You should read a book,” the director said, “Why don’t you read a book?” So they gave me a prop book – I don’t know – so I read the book, and De Niro turned around and said, “What book did you read?” [Panics] “I… I don’t know!”
DIER: Yes, you did well. You tell some crazy stories.
RASCHE: I made something up! But, oh my god, yeah, so that was scary. But he’s great. The cast is incredibly funny, everyone in their own way, and a lot of fun to work with.
About my father opens in theaters on May 26. My interviews with film stars Robert de Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco can be watched below.