DIRECTOR THINKS OUR TOWN IS ‘ BOSS’
For filmmaker and animator Tom McGrath, “being back in Chicago again just makes me smile.” In town recently to promote his latest film, “The Boss Baby” ( opening Friday), McGrath shared a few thoughts about why he’s such a big fan of Our Town.
“It dates back to when I was a kid [ in Washington state], but also, in Los Angeles there’s a kind of big Chicago group of people working in the entertainment industry, and they always stick together. Fortunately for me, I’ve become good friends with them, and separately, also have always had friends who live here.
“As a child, I was fascinated by Chicago. Schwinn bicycles were made here. Bally pinball machines were made here. I remember wanting to come to Chicago and was so happy that when I did, it lived up to my fantasy of how cool I thought Chicago would be,” said McGrath.
The filmmaker noted that he’s a stickler for things being soundly constructed. “I feel that things from Chicago — like that Schwinn bike I had as a kid — are so well- built. For example, I recently bought a pair of wall sconces at an antique shop in Winnetka. They are so solid. They represent good design and good construction for me — yet another positive thing that came out of Chicago.”
In addition, McGrath noted “that whenever I come to Chicago or go up to the North Shore, I do try to make a point of heading to Walker Bros. [ Original Pancake House].”
As for “The Boss Baby,” McGrath said he knew he wanted to turn Marla Frazee’s kids book into an animated film from the moment he first saw it.
“We saw this cute little baby in a business suit, and it just clicked. As any parent knows, when a baby comes into your life, it will take over. It will boss you around. Plus, my first thought was, ‘ Who would be the perfect voice for a baby in a suit? Alec Baldwin!’ He was the first and only choice. Having worked with him before on the ‘ Madagascar’ movies [ in which he voiced Makunga], I knew how funny he is, and he knows where the comedy is in every line. We wanted not only to create a film that was funny for the kids but for the parents too.”
Sibling rivalry is a big issue in “The Boss Baby,” and McGrath admitted making this film is “a really personal story for me. I have an older brother I tortured growing up. He’s two years older than me. Trust me. I was the boss baby in my family. I came into my brother’s life and turned his world upside down.
“Families can be difficult. When it comes to your siblings, you either come out of it in the end as best friends or nemeses. Fortunately for my brother and me, we came out of it as best friends.
“So, this film is my 50- year- in- the- making apol- ogy letter to my brother! It celebrates what it means to be a family.”
Early awards push for Steppenwolf veteran
Usually the big awardsseason push for film critics groups, Golden Globes and the Oscars doesn’t start until much later in the year, but the film distributor FilmRise is already announcing it plans an autumn campaign for veteran Steppenwolf ensemble member Lois Smith. It’s all due to the huge reception her new film, “Marjorie Prime,” received at the recent Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize — an award that specifically honors films that focus on science or technology as a key theme.
Directed by Michael Almeryeda, who also penned the screenplay based on his play, “Marjorie Prime” is a sci- fi tale set in the near future. Smith plays the 86- yearold title character, who spends time with the younger hologram likeness of her late husband, Walter ( played by Jon Hamm), as she deals with her struggles with dementia. The film also features Geena Davis and Tim Robbins, who portray Smith’s character’s daughter and son- in- law. The movie will be distributed in theaters by FilmRise later this year. It also will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Given Smith’s acclaimed, seven- decade career that includes memorable performances in such film classics as “East of Eden,” “Five Easy Pieces,” “Fatal Attraction,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Dead Man Walking” and “Twister,” it is hard to believe she has never received an Academy Award nomination.
Perhaps that will change this year!
Seen on the scene
Fans of Jon Bon Jovi got a kick out of seeing the rock star dining at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap on the Gold Coast while he was in town for his United Center gig. … Kudos to Chicago’s own Fabio Viviani, owner of Siena Tavern. The popular food guru and “Top Chef” participant will be seen on the new digital series “Dinner Is Served,” launching April 6 at dinnerisserved. tv. … Actress and comic Fortune Feister will be on hand in Millennium Park, near Wrigley Square, from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. Tuesday as part of a promotion tied to the home entertainment release of the “Office Christmas Party” film, starring Jennifer Aniston, T. J. Miller and Jason Bateman. In the film, Feister plays a very funny Uber driver, on her first day on the job. Along with cash, the “Money Booth” ( inspired by a scene from the movie) will be packed with gift certificates for various prizes. While Feister will be on hand only for a couple of hours, the booth will be welcoming fans from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. Tuesday.