Kim Cattrall (Queer as Folk, How I Met Your Father, Sex and the City) and Leslie Bibb (God’s Favorite Idiot, Jupiter’s Legacy) emanate a delightful sheen when in deep conversation about their new comedy, About My Father. The dynamite actors bring their wit and comedic genius to the new film, which is directed by another remarkable female, Laura Terruso (I Want My Phone Back). It hits theaters Memorial Day weekend.
But get Cattrall and Bibb talking about their two male costars, and these ladies light up. And rightly so. Those fellas are Sebastian Maniscalco, perhaps one of the hottest comics in America right now, and film legend Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, Meet the Parents). Maniscalco co-wrote About My Father with his longtime collaborator Austen Earl. Cattrall and Bibb play mother and daughter (Tigger McArthur Collins and Ellie) in the hilarious comedy that finds Maniscalco morphing into, well, another version of his real-life self.
Relatable hilarity ensues throughout the film after Ellie nudges “Sebastian” to bring along his Italian immigrant/hairdresser father, Salvo (De Niro), to a weekend get-together with her wealthy family. Anders Holm, Brett Dier, and Succession’s David Rasche round out that clan. Audiences can expect cultures to clash and plenty of antics as Sebastian and outspoken Salvo find new ways to adjust to life’s big changes. Kim Cattrall and Leslie Bibb shared more about working alongside their costars in the exclusive MovieWeb video above, and the interview that follows.
Cattrall and Bibb on Working with Two Different Icons
No doubt audiences will appreciate that two icons headline About My Father. Maniscalco has been on the rise in the comedy world over the last decade and his latest Netflix special Is It Me? was a big hit. De Niro, a two-time Oscar winner for dramatic roles, typically wins audiences over in any medium, but his comedic roles in The King of Comedy, Meet the Parents, and Little Fockers never fail to surprise and inspire. He’s on the mark here, too.
“The movie is really great,” gushed Leslie Bibb about the film, “But this one [Kim Cattrall] and Bob together are so fun. That scene where they’re smoking cigars […] And somebody was like, ‘Kim, would you really let him cut your [character’s] hair?’ And I was like, ‘Did you see the scene they had before? They have crazy chemistry. They’re smoking cigars.’ It was this moment where you saw Tigger’s curtain drop. It was really cool. And David Rasche is so freakin’ funny and insane. Everybody’s really good in the movie.”
Rasche, in fact, plays Bill, Tigger’s husband and Ellie’s dad in the film. The wealthy clan welcome Sebastian and Salvo in but are often taken aback by Salvo’s bluntness. Tigger seems curious and amused by it all throughout the weekend. She’s a tenacious blue blood who’s worked her way up the political ladder, but there’s something about Salvo’s working-class charm and street smarts that she finds captivating — until something wickedly “out there” happens. Cattrall is candid when asked what makes now the best time for About My Father to be released. “Who doesn’t need to laugh right now?” she said. “Anytime, but especially now.”
“And also, to get back into a theater,” quickly added Bibb. “I have a big television at home, and my boyfriend loves to watch movies at the house. But there is nothing like sitting in a movie seat and watching a movie. And this movie is great to see on a big screen.”
“It’s also a movie that you can see with your family,” noted Cattrall.
Why About My Father Just Works
Cattrall and Bibb went on to say that the film’s stand-out cast bring something unique to the project, particularly Maniscalco. The comedian and actor steps into his first foray as a big-screen writer after appearing in films like Green Book and The Irishman (also with De Niro); it’s the next step for Maniscalco after a huge year appearing in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Somewhere in Queens, and Spinning Gold. Plus, About My Father mirrors his own hilarious experiences with his dad, a constant in his stand-up act.
“Sebastian’s enthusiasm really stood out,” said Cattrall. “You know, he’d never been here before, and he was very vulnerable. I wasn’t there the first day of shooting, but apparently, he made a speech saying, ‘Listen, guys, you know, I’ve never been like the head honcho on a big movie before.’ This was also the first script he’d done. It was big new territory for him. So, for him to be that vulnerable was kind of incredible.”
“And Bob? Wow. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, really, to work with one of the greatest filmmakers that ever lived,” added Cattrall about being on-screen with De Niro. “Just to watch his process, and for him to invite you in. I mean, Bob likes to have a conversation before, with the cast. I just Skyped with him. He was sitting there with his glasses on his nose, and going, ‘Okay, how you are doing?’ And we read a scene, and he was like, ‘This is great, very good part.’ He just wants to check in, and it was to make sure that we’re all going to work in this supportive, and fun environment.”
Cattrall, Bibb, and De Niro share many scenes together, of course — all of them resulting in hilarity. Of De Niro, Bibb pointed out: “He loves the process. It was so cool to see him still be like an acting nerd and a film nerd.” She went on to say how she asked De Niro about his thoughts on certain films and how freely he shared his thoughts about them. “I mean, we’re not digging ditches, but you’re putting yourself out there, you’re putting your heart out there, and you’re vulnerable, so it was so cool to watch Bob’s process and walk hand in hand with him.”
As for playing Maniscalco’s love interest in About My Father, Bibb said: “I thought he was such a wonderful No. 1 on a call sheet. And he did it with such grace. We were really in it together from day one, to the very end. He’s so kind, funny, and supportive. There was just this instant chemistry, and I was protective of him. Like, I’d do anything for him. I adore him.”
About My Father, from Lionsgate, hits theaters May 26.
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