Every have a friend in your group who was so annoying that you didn’t know if you could be friends anymore? Writer/director Rob Pearlstein has. And he wrote a movie about it.
“The truth is I have more than one [Barry],” said Pearlstein. “I had this realization that I have people in my life who are this guy… Then, there comes a point in your life where you’re trying to settle down and become more mature and professional and the antics don’t play as funny.”
Someone Marry Barry is about a group of three friends who have a fourth who is annoying, outrageous and completely ridiculous. His name is Barry and he is a Barry – a friend you can’t get rid of no matter hard you try. In an effort to rid themselves from his constant presence, the friends band together to try to find Barry a wife. If they can’t deal with him, perhaps she can.
Comedic actor Tyler Labine (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) plays Barry and Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher, Dinner for Schmucks) plays his perfect match. Unfortunately for the friends, Lucy’s character turns out to be a female Barry. Pearlstein laughs at the concept. “My situation with guys like this is that although they are crazy, they are redeeming and I want to keep them in my life.”
The TV-writer-turned-filmmaker takes six to eight weeks to write an outline and then just a few days to write out the pages. He spends most of his time on story. “You have to treat it like a job,” says Pearlsteain. “You can’t wait for inspiration to strike.”
ScreenwritingU sat down with the writer/director to discuss his wacky new comedy Someone Marry Barry. The film released in theaters February 7 and on VOD February 13.
Photo credit: FilmBuff