Movies

How a filmmaker couple’s adoption story inspired the bloody dark comedy ‘I Don’t Understand You’

BBG News

While a gory blend of horror and comedy might not be the first genre that comes to mind as a heartfelt tribute to a five-year-old, for Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, it’s an exceptional means to demonstrate their affection towards their child.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie-making couple began writing a partially autobiographical script for the screen as a form of healing, shortly following their adoption of a child.

During those days with the exhaustion of taking care of a newborn, it felt like we were both relieving stress together,” Craig explained.

However, they showed no inclination towards a heartfelt, emotionally-charged narrative detailing their struggle with fatherhood. Contrarily, the finished work commences as a humorous piece and later takes a grim turn, featuring a sprinkling of deceased characters.

The film “I Don’t Understand You,” released this past Friday, features Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells playing roles inspired by Crano and Craig, who were also its co-directors.

Movies

This summer promises a robust lineup, featuring blockbusters that carry the grandeur of Hollywood, intelligent independent films as well as a decent portion of entertaining yet intellectually lightweight movies – all essential elements for a satisfying summer cinematic experience.

The narrative accurately portrays a real-life couple’s emotional rollercoaster towards parenthood, featuring a distressing episode of adoption deception. After almost three years of trying, they found themselves burdened by the hurdles. Unexpectedly, as they were preparing for their 10th anniversary trip to Italy, they were connected with a birth mother – a serendipitous turn of events in their long-awaited journey to parenthood.

The journey they undertook turned out to be a series of unexpected mishaps. In the midst of a heavy downpour, their vehicle became trapped in a ditch. A kind-hearted elderly Italian lady and her family saved them, but there was a language barrier as they couldn’t communicate with each other at all.

When they shared their harrowing travel experience with actor-filmmaker Joel Edgerton (who later became the movie’s producer), he motivated them to start writing.

However, what led Crano and Craig to transform their characters, who initially resembled themselves, into (largely unintentional) killers? This was achieved by incorporating their actual coping strategies into the movie plot.

Craig explained, “We coped with our personal traumas by finding humor in a somber way, often joking about it amongst ourselves.” He added, “This approach seemed to be the narrative we felt ready to share.

As a film critic, I found myself at odds when approached with a movie that seemed to wave flags of controversy and tug heartstrings through emotional manipulation. It simply didn’t align with our creative vision.

Movies

Justine Triet, the director who won the Palme d’Or, and her screenwriting partner and spouse, Arthur Harari, talk about how they developed the idea for “Anatomy of a Fall” while navigating through the pandemic.

Engaged in a heartfelt discussion about our filmmaking journey, my partner and I often seemed to read each other’s minds, even though we were thousands of miles apart during our Zoom chats. With me in bustling New York City on the brink of the film’s debut, and him in sunny Los Angeles, it was a testament to our synergy that our thoughts flowed so seamlessly.

Our shared passion for refining every detail, as Crano put it, was evident in our repeated attempts to find that elusive perfect phrase or witty one-liner – a process mirroring our writing partnership, where we are deeply attuned to each other’s strengths and creative processes. We were both consumed by the thrill of iteration, constantly striving for perfection in our work.

At one moment, Craig inserted his thoughts, saying, “I don’t mean to interrupt, Brian, but I believe this is the direction your thoughts seemed to be heading.

Kroll and Rannells’ characters Dom and Cole, similar to Crano and Craig, discover joyous news of a successful adoption, only for their car to get stuck in a ditch during their anniversary trip. They seek shelter at an elderly Italian woman’s home. However, the storyline veers from the ordinary and becomes darkly comical as Cole unintentionally pushes the old lady down the stairs, resulting in her death.

The duo hadn’t planned their storyline extensively; instead, they were curious to discover the most unexpected move they could make. As Crano put it, they were interested in finding out: “What could be the most troublesome thing they might do next?

As a cinephile, diving into roles inspired by our directors gave Kroll and I a unique opportunity to delve deep into the emotional core of the tale with unparalleled authenticity. Over a Zoom call with The Times, we both shared that our directors openly discussed their adoption journey, offering us a glimpse into their personal lives.

Kroll humorously proposed, “Imagine if we’d asked, ‘So, what was it like when you learned you weren’t having a baby?’ and they responded, ‘How audacious!'” However, it turned out to be beneficial for them to serve as references and resources. Yet, their flexibility allowed us to make decisions that might not have been their exact words or style. David and Brian had a clear idea for the film, but they were also open to unexpected elements arising during production.

Working with a pair of directors for the first time, Rannells praised their skill at steering the project together effectively.

He commented that they consistently shared the same perspective, which was beneficial. Initially, there was a hint of apprehension as he wondered, “Will this actually function smoothly? Who should we trust and how?” However, they executed it effortlessly without causing an overpowering sensation.

Books

Krysten Ritter, currently on her second book release, takes pleasure in creating characters that exhibit an element of surprise, carry a hint of mischief, and bear some scars.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found that the humor in Kroll and Rannells’ performances frequently stems from cultural misinterpretations. Unfortunately, Dom’s unbroken Duolingo streak didn’t seem to aid their ability to communicate effectively during their Italian escapade. Instead, they often mistook the locals’ comments or actions as potentially offensive towards their sexual orientation.

In a horror film where there’s no traditional monster, Craig explained that the repeated misunderstandings among characters serve as the “monster” instead. Essentially, this means that the characters perceive threats because they don’t understand each other or their situations correctly. He put it simply: “Our ‘monster’ is their distorted view of danger.

In my perspective, there’s an intense longing for comfort that pushes some people to the brink of aggression, almost preferring discomfort over the alternative. Moreover, as Craig pointed out, they find themselves in situations where communication becomes a challenge, leaving them needing someone to confide in.

Despite making some typical American tourist mistakes as portrayed by their characters, Crano and Craig claim that the adoption narrative in the film is the most authentic part of it.

In the movie, Axel – their cherished dog who sadly passed away shortly after filming ended – was Dom and Cole’s pet, while their son Washington, affectionately known as “Washy,” portrayed their child in a brief moment on screen. After catching a glimpse of himself at the premiere of the film during South by Southwest last year, Craig, who is just 5 years old, now considers himself a movie star.

They mentioned that Washy’s request was to perform in a cowboy outfit during his scene, which they granted. Crano and Craig suggested that Washy might be shown “I Don’t Understand You” earlier than appropriate, but with the hope that he grasps the film’s core message: “What sacrifices would you make for your child?” They expressed their wish for him to truly comprehend that they are willing to do anything for him.

Crano stated that it’s like a love letter for him,” he said. “And in an unusual manner,” Craig concluded, echoing his husband’s thoughts again.

Read More

2025-06-06 13:31

Previous post The Handmaid’s Tale star’s new psychological thriller shares major casting update
Next post Sam Thompson in complete agony and breaks down in tears as he FINALLY completes gruelling Soccer Aid challenge and raises £1.5M for Unicef after battling horrendous injuries