From Wrecking Balancing to Mother Mary

So, let’s talk about the man directing the recent A24 flick, Mother Mary, shall we? David Lowery has this quirky little rule: he doesn’t cast anyone in his films until they’ve had a face-to-face chat. Yep, that first convo seals the deal! Imagine the tea he spills in those meetings!

The Lip Sync That Changed Everything

Now, David has a bit of a confession about casting Anne Hathaway. Even before he officially met her, he was already convinced that she’d ace the role of Mother Mary. How, you ask? Thanks to a viral moment from eons ago when Hathaway went full throttle on Miley Cyrus’ classic hit, ‘Wrecking Ball’ during a Lip Sync Battle. I mean, who wouldn’t be swayed by a powerhouse performance like that?

A Wrecking Ball with Style

Picture this: Hathaway’s swinging on a wrecking ball, surrounded by a packed crowd, all while tossing her hair like she owns the place. If TikTok had been around, it would’ve crashed just to make way for this iconic moment!

Diving into the Melancholy of Pop Star Life

Fast forward to the world of Mother Mary, where we explore the flip side of that glittering pop star lifestyle. Here, Hathaway’s character deals with the regrets and ghosts of her past. She’s on a quest that involves showing up at her estranged buddy’s door—who happens to be her former costume designer, Sam (played by the fantastic Michaela Coel)—with a fashion emergency and an otherworldly admission: “Surprise! I’ve got a ghost buddy!” Talk about a plot twist that would leave any costume designer flabbergasted!

Channeling the Spirit of Pop

While Lowery was crafting the film’s aesthetics, he turned to the dazzling lives of pop stars throughout history. He binge-watched pop documentaries—from Madonna strutting her stuff in the ’90s to Taylor Swift ruling the stage in her Reputation tour. The goal? To capture the ultimate essence of a pop star, someone who resonates with every single soul. No pressure, right?

Religious Imagery and Fashion Statements

Lowery cleverly mixes pop culture with religious vibes to create a unique visual language for Mother Mary. Surprisingly, though, he seems to skip over the queen of quirk herself, Lady Gaga, who is notorious for her extravagant fashion and intersection with Catholic influences. The film’s take might have some of that dark, twisty-gospel flair—Hathaway’s display might just raise a few eyebrows in the holy department!

The Balance of Tone

Lowery nailed it when he pointed out the stark difference between the film’s tone and that of Mother Mary as a character. Mother Mary is defined and soft-spoken, dragging along a heap of existential dread, while the film itself has a much grittier vibe. Talk about a balancing act!

Anne Hathaway: The Gift that Keeps Giving

In wrapping things up, the making of this character was an intense ride for both Lowery and Hathaway. Lowery was just blown away by Hathaway’s commitment, stating he requested 100% and she delivered a whopping 200%. That’s some serious performance juice! Talk about setting the bar high—for yourself and for the audience, too!

Catch ‘Mother Mary’ in Theaters

Mark your calendars! Mother Mary hits theaters on Friday, April 17, and you won’t want to miss the spectacle. Get ready for a wild ride filled with pop culture quirks and a pinch of the supernatural!