It’s a family aff air for Reitman and Garner

Men, Women & Children is another Jason Reitman cinematic social- studies statement — this time focusing on multiple middle- class family aff airs set in the modern digital world. The ensemble cast co- stars Jennifer Garner, who previously had a role in Reitman’s Oscar- honoured Juno. In Men, Women & Children, Garner plays an over- protective mother trying to shelter her daughter from social media. During a recent Toronto interview, the 36- year- old Reitman and 42- year- old Garner off ered observations on the fi lm. “You’re really going salt- andpepper,” a smiling Garner said to begin the chat. “I’m getting old,” Reitman said, running his hands through his hair. “It’s happening quickly.” “He’s a mentor professionally,” Garner said of Reitman. “So I thought, ‘ Oh good, I’ll give him a few notes on the script and return the favour.’ After I read it, he said, ‘ Do you want to play Patricia?’” Reitman said: “It all happened mid- air.” “It’s a great way to get an actor to do your movie,” Garner said. “Trapped in a plane and ply me with alcohol.” And while Garner’s character Patricia might seem out of touch, “I defi nitely don’t judge her,” the actress said. “Jason and I talked a lot about how not to make her a caricature.” And while Garner portrayed less- than- positive people in Juno and in Men, Women & Children, “It’s so weird that you say that,” Reitman told to Garner. “There’s so much humanity in both roles.” “I think so, too,” Garner said. “It makes perfect sense to me, but that’s what people say to me, who have seen both movies.” “OK, there is darkness in Jen Garner,” Reitman said, “but I think there is something incredibly hopeful about the two roles.” Social media is used extensively as a backdrop in Men, Women & Children: “If any of us thought we were making a movie about the Internet, then, yeah, it would have felt like a failure the entire time,” Reitman said. “I’m not on social media,” Garner added, describing it as a waste of time. “I would certainly never pimp out my children, and that’s really what people are interested in, and I’m not going to talk about my marriage ( to Ben Affl eck) on social media.” Said Reitman: “You could photograph your meals. That seems to be a big part of it.”