Graham keeps tackling new roles — and careers
For some hopelessly devoted fans, Lauren Graham will always be Lorelai Gilmore from the series Gilmore Girls. Others know her as Sarah Braverman on Parenthood.
Currently, the 48-year-old has transformed into somebody different, creatively. She’s in novelist mode and has a December deadline to prove it.
The book she’s writing is her second. It follows the first, called Someday, Someday, Maybe: A Novel, which loosely recalls Graham’s experiences as a New York actress in the 1990s. Her debut novel landed on the New York Times bestseller list in 2013 and is also in the process of being adapted for a TV show. Acting is still a priority, however. Proof is her role in the movie Max, which is the name of a Belgian Malinois military dog that returns from service in Afghanistan traumatized by the death of its marine handler, Justin Wincott (Robbie Amell). When the Wincott family adopts the dog, they all try to recover from the loss.
Graham plays Pamela, the mother of the soldier killed in action and the wife of Ray (Thomas Haden Church), a stern war veteran trying to cope and still deal with his rebellious younger son Justin (Josh Wiggins).
Directed by Boaz Yakin, the film is part kid adventure plus a dash of action and an examination of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Grounding the story are Church and especially Graham — who talked to Postmedia News from Los Angeles about the film Max and her future.
Q Is it true you based some of your mom and wife traits in Max on your grandmother? A My grandmother was a preacher’s wife and missionary, and she was always the strongest voice in the room without saying much.
Q Doesn’t your character express a poignant side, though?
A Yes, but I tried to modify it, especially coming from Parenthood, where I had so much emotional stuff.
Q Was it a difficult acting exercise?
A I had great faith in (Yakin). I just trusted him to find the right tone. The husband and son are so stoic, he wanted my character to be the emotional centre.
Q What did you think of the film’s theme?
A I love that it’s about war but doesn’t glorify war. And the story could take place 20 years in the past or 20 years in the future.
Q You made the bond between husband and wife feel real. Had you worked with Church before? A No. But they gave (Church) a list of actresses, and he really responded to my name, and I thought, ‘That’s impossible, he’s this cool actor dude.’ I think he was confusing me with Heather Graham.
Q With Parenthood and now Max on your CV, have you given up on comedy?
A It’s hilarious to me because I only ever thought I’d work in comedy but I’ve definitely been challenged by these more emotional roles.
Q Will there be a comedy in your future?
A I am still looking for more comedy with a brain, but they are hard to find.
Q Would you return to do another TV series?
A I work in movies in any capacity, but in TV it’s always like figuring out what will be the next thing.
Q After two iconic shows, are you picky?
A Exactly. You don’t want to mess up the nice history.