Luke Greenfield Interview: Half Brothers | Screen Rant
Half Brothers is halfway between a buddy comedy and a touching family drama, but it's fully enjoyable from both perspectives. Out December 4 through Focus Features, the film follows successful Mexican businessman Renato (Luis Gerardo Mendez) as he begrudgingly reunites with his American half-brother Asher (Connor Del Rio) at his estranged father's request.
Director Luke Greenfield (Something Borrowed) brings their two worlds together, as they grapple with their differing perspectives on their father and each other, with the help of a nuanced script penned by Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. While the mystery of their father's last words propels their journey, the real goal is to reach an understanding.
The director spoke to Screen Rant about achieving the right balance between the humorous and the heartfelt, giving real importance to the immigrant story at the center, and the delicate process of handling a baby goat.
I was expecting Half Brothers to be a fun buddy comedy, but it had some actual serious issues that it dealt with, like immigration and what family really means. I know Eduardo Cisneros, the screenwriter, has done some great across the border stories. As a director, how do you balance both sides of that border and make sure you're giving them the right amount of attention?
Luke Greenfield: Awesome question. That is why I made the movie. The whole reason was: can I make a movie that has two completely different tones? One is this kind of buddy comedy; one is this kind of heartbreaking, dramatic, tear-jerking journey of a Mexican immigrant. That was the goal. Can I have an audience experience the laughter of that buddy comedy, and then go right into crying in this tragic story, and then back to laughing and back to crying? And so that's what I really wanted to do.
I like blending genres. I'm not really a guy who does straight comedy. It always blends with something else, whether it's heart or action or suspense or thrillers. And so, that was really the goal of the movie. Thank you, for [bringing that up].
On the comedy side, how do you get Renatito to pay attention and do what he's supposed to do? How do you direct a goat?
Luke Greenfield: George the goat, a very talented baby goat. We had great trainers; great animal wranglers. It was Connor, who plays Asher, who had a bond with that goat. I mean, he's the one carrying, and he's the one kissing him and hugging him. So, hats off to Connor.
Look, this movie had so many challenges. The goat was definitely one of them, but it worked out great. It's the most adorable animal you could see. So, all that goat got was just love from the cast and crew every minute of the day. I think George the goat had an amazing time.
I loved how Eloise was kind of the "rosebud" or the MacGuffin of the movie; the starting point of this story. If you had to describe your life in one word or concept that unlocks mysteries, what would it be for you?
Luke Greenfield: Oh, wow. That's a tricky question... That I would tell my son? It would be, "Don't be a sidelines player in life." It would be, "Don't waste all your years like me, sitting on the sidelines, watching everyone else play the game of life. Get in there, face your fear, and do it anyway."
Half Brothers will be in theaters on December 4.