Based on the true story of an unsettled writer with a fantastic mustache, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game follows Roger Sharpe (Mike Faist), a man who finds solace and confidence in one thing he has mastered: pinball. When a police raid destroys the only machines he can find in 1970s New York City, he learns the game is illegal. Sharpe reluctantly joins forces with the Music and Amusement Association to overturn the ban while falling in love with Ellen (Crystal Reed), an artist and single mother. Roger’s path to save pinball ultimately rescues him. He and Ellen overcome their pasts and take a shot at love. Roger learns what it means to take a chance — and that commitment is the most rewarding gamble of all.
We recently caught up with Reed, who’s also known for playing Allison Argent in the MTV series Teen Wolf along with the spinoff film released this year. She also recently held the lead role of Abby in the DC Universe for Warner Bros.’ Swamp Thing, and she played Adult Beth in the feature-length film Incident in a Ghost Land.
Tackling a ‘Light and Joyful’ Script
MW: What was it about Pinball that first drew you to the project?
Crystal Reed: So it was the middle of the pandemic, middle of lockdown, and I wasn’t reading much because not a lot was being made. And I remember my team sent me the script, and I read it sort of like, with such speed and joy. And I thought, “Wow, this happened. No one knows this happened. It’s completely absurd.” And it’s told in a way that kind of feels refreshing and light and joyful. At that point, I had been doing a lot of genre work and quite heavy stuff. I was exhausted by it. So I just felt inspired by the avenue in which it’s being told and the actual story.
MW: It’s a movie about pinball, and you play a character who is a painter. In preparing for your role, did you do any sort of special prep work, given the sort of uniqueness of this project?
Reed: Yeah, I did. I didn’t paint. I do paint, but I didn’t paint specifically for [my character]. I did a lot of work. I did a lot of research into that time period for a woman, what they were doing, and what she was experiencing and feeling. And then also, I wanted to understand her mindset. So I worked a lot on things in terms of her wardrobe and hair and makeup, and her look and her feel.
MW: It’s such a fun movie. Is there a particular scene you enjoyed shooting the most?
Reed: Yeah, there’s a scene towards the end where Roger and Elaine are fighting. We rehearsed that scene, which is a luxury, and I remember feeling so in it and so connected with him that there was a sense that anything could happen. And [Mike Faist] really is truly a phenomenal actor. I’m so privileged to have worked with him. That’s all you want, is actors to be able to create that kind of chemistry where anything goes.
Teen Wolf and Meryl Streep
MW: I recently interviewed Teen Wolf stunt coordinator Chris Brewster and learned more about the franchise. What was it like returning for Teen Wolf: The Movie?
Reed: Chris and I are actually dear friends. He was integral in that film for me because it’s so action-based, and he was so wonderful working with. I trained for a while before the film, and he just helped me to feel so comfortable. I would always change things based on how I was moving, and it was really hard. That was probably the hardest project that I’ve ever worked on, simply because she’s an assassin, and I’m an empath. So it was hard to embody her for such a long time, but I’m happy that people like it.
MW: Are there other projects you’re working on, that you’d like to share about?
Reed: I’m just doing some press for this and Teen Wolf, and I have a desire to direct, and I’m writing at the moment. So those are things that I’m doing that feel much different and kind of scary, but I’m liking… I’m trying to write something… For me, I have to be inspired, or it just feels like work. And then when it feels like work, it’s not creative. And then there’s this whole relationship between creativity and inspiration or defense. It’s crazy.
MW: Is there a filmmaker or actor who you’d like to work with down the line?
Reed: I mean, I would love to work with Meryl Streep… She’s really such a gem and such a gift to us.
From Vertical Entertainment, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is now in theaters.
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