It’s not very often that I think about a movie several weeks after I’ve seen it, but I have had Friends with Kids on my mind. The more I think about it, the more I like it. It’s just an adult film that’s funny. One that Hollywood rarely makes anymore and when it does, it usually isn’t done this well. It’s a small film with big stars and you really get to see them at the top of their form. So get on out and support it when it comes to your neighborhood as part of the mission of supporting women directed films.
I also just wanted to give a shout out to two of the male stars of the film — Chris O’Dowd and Jon Hamm — both of whom have made recent comments in support of the women in the film.
Hamm — who is the partner of writer-director Jennifer Westfeldt — took his status in Hollywood for a spin when he talked about how much he admired Jennifer for her perseverance to get the film made. He can say stuff that Jennifer can’t say because a- he’s not a woman director and b- he is the hottest man in Hollywood who also seems to be genuinely supportive of his partner. There’s something awesome about Jon Hamm who plays one of the most complicated men on TV in Mad Men getting all feminist in the topic of women directors. Here’s what he said to the NY Times Magazine:
People are going to be naturally predisposed to dislike sisters who are doing it for themselves. And it’s crazy, and it’s not just men; it’s very often other women…There seems to be this expectation of: Hold on, lady. You just stay in your place. Don’t try to reach for too much.
And then Chris O’Dowd who plays Maya Rudolph’s husband in the film and was also great in Bridesmaids stands up for co-star Megan Fox in her seemingly never to be lived down battle with Michael Bay and how she has lost some roles because of it.
He told the Toronto Sun:
I don’t know the ins and outs of it but it’s all down to having a fallout with Michael Bay. But who wouldn’t have a fallout with him? It’s one of the sexist things (sic) I’ve ever seen. She called him an a**hole. Well, he is a f**king a**hole. She’s not the only one who has said that. Why has she been singled out?
How about that? It’s nice when the dudes stand up for the ladies.
O’Dowd blasts Bay over Fox bust-up (Toronto Sun)
Jennifer Westfeldt and Jon Hamm Give Birth (to a Movie) (NY Times)
