“I Love My Dad”James Morosini is a director, writer, and star. He tells how he prepared himself for bizarre makeout scenes with Patton Oswalt.
“We made out a lot ahead of time,” Morosini, who plays Oswalt’s son Franklin, told Variety Joking The premiere of “I Love My Dad”Thursday night at Coronet at the Largo “He’s a phenomenal kisser. I hope everyone has the opportunity to make out with Patton Oswalt.”
Based on Morosini’s own true experience of being catfished by his dad, the new indie comedy stars Patton Oswalt as Chuck, a father who desperately tries to stay connected with his estranged son by posing as a woman online named Becca (Claudia Sulewski). Franklin (Morosini), is asked a series of questions during a scene. “Becca”Chuck imagines the frightening scenario in which his son makes out with his mother online. Also stars are Lil Rel Howery, Rachel Dratch and Amy Landecker.
“The fact that something that absurd and perfect could happen to a writer-director-actor of his caliber is such a perfect marriage,” Landecker, who plays Morosini’s mom Diane, said. “He had the perfect story, and he had all of the abilities to make it into a film.”
“I Love My Dad” marks Morosini’s second directorial effort, following his 2018 indie film “Threesomething.”
“He doesn’t have a lot of preconceived notions or expectations about, ‘Well, the audience wants to see this, this and this,’”Oswalt made the following comments about his director, and co-star. “All of his takes and all of his techniques were so fresh and unprecedented. Truly fun to get to see that.”
Claudia Sulewski & Billie Eilish at Los Angeles’ premiere of “I Love My Dad”Largo at the Coronet Los Angeles on August 4.
Gilbert Flores for Variety
The film also marks YouTube star Sulewski’s second movie role following the 2019 indie horror “Deadcon.” “I felt like such an imposter being surrounded by such professionals and comedic geniuses,” she said about her first day on set playing Morosini’s imagined love interest, Becca.
“But truly, everyone was so lovely to be around,” Sulewski continued. “And especially watching Patton act out such intense and emotional scenes, and watching him just add so much levity to the room in between those takes — even though what he was going through with Chuck was so intense — it was very cool to see his spirit come out on set and make us all feel really comfortable.”
Sulewski may not have created a fake profile on social media, but she has. “had people use [her] photos for catfishing.” “Essentially, [I’ve] also lived this film,”She laughed.
The premiere’s guest list included Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, Jesse Rutherford, Chloe Cherry, Ava Capri, Rebecca Black and Bob Odenkirk.
“I Love My Dad”August 5.