Church inspired by stepdad’s past

Thomas Haden Church had a stepfather who fought in the Second World War. So when Church was offered the role of the war veteran father whose son is killed in action, he thought he could handle the performance through referencing.

“My dad was a combat vet but would not discuss any of it,” said Church of his role model in the movie Max. “He was a hard-ass but stoic.”

That sums up Church’s Ray Wincott in the family adventure about Max, a Belgian Malinois military dog returned to the U.S. after the death of its Marine handler Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell), Ray’s son.

When the Wincott family adopts the dog, they all try to overcome grief, including mother Pamela (Lauren Graham) and youngest son Justin (Josh Wiggins).

The movie, directed by Boaz Yakin, is an adventure with some action when Max and Justin get involved with gang members but the story also examines the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Looking back I think my dad suffered from it so it was the corner-post of what I would bring to Ray,” Church said.

The actor also brought a less hackneyed mentality to the dialogue when he first signed on to play the part.

“Boaz (Yakin) was as accommodating as his vision would allow,” Church said.

“But he did agree with me on a lot of stuff, especially where the speeches could be shortened and certain moments could be more abrupt between the father and the son.”

Later in the summer, Church, who earned a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for his role in the 2004 dark comedy Sideways, will be heading to New York to start shooting HBO’s new comedy series Divorce, starring Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker.

“I play her husband, so you’ve probably figured out where that marriage is headed,” Church said.