Movies

How Jenny Slate swung between laughter and sorrow in ‘Dying for Sex’

BBG News

This article contains spoilers for the finale of FX’s “Dying for Sex.”

Jenny Slate finds herself uncertain about what to say when individuals mention they were moved to tears at the finale of “Dying for Sex,” the latest series on FX where she co-stars with Michelle Williams.

It’s a reasonable response, indeed. The limited series, debuting on Hulu this past Friday, chronicles Molly’s (Williams) decision to shake up her life after receiving a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Instead of enduring a sexless marriage with Steve (Jay Duplass), Molly chooses to embark on an exhilarating sexual adventure, bolstered by the assistance of her closest friend Nikki (Slate), who takes on the role of caregiver during the final months of Molly’s life.

In the series “Dying for Sex,” Nikki plays a crucial role, serving as a stabilizing force and confidante for Molly, an actress entangled in her own sexual explorations. As Molly delves into her peculiar tastes, desires, and yearning to be desired and controlled, Nikki becomes her anchor. The friendship between these two women is pivotal and forms the core of the show. Finding an actor who could match Williams’ intensity and embody the emotional core of the series was no small feat for creators Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, who adapted the show from the Wondery podcast with the same title.

In my quest, I was seeking an individual who could make me laugh heartily one moment, then leave me feeling deeply moved or even heartbroken the next – all within a blink of an eye.

However, that statement just scratches the surface. Rosenstock further explained, “It’s crucial to consider Nikki as someone you’d choose to spend your remaining days with, someone whose company would make those moments the most fulfilling and delightful.

In a somewhat unusual turn of discussion regarding casting decisions, they often pondered, “Should we prefer to perish alongside this individual?” Their thoughts, at least, when considering Slate. To their response, it was an unequivocal affirmative.

Rosenstock commented that she skillfully depicted the complexity of caregiving in such an enchanting manner. This role necessitated a versatile comedian who could convincingly display Nikki’s growing frustration towards her boyfriend for ignoring her important messages, as well as captivate a bedridden Molly with eloquent Shakespearean recitals and even put on a lively solo performance reminiscent of ‘Clueless.’

As a passionate cinephile, I recently had the pleasure of discussing my character and the intricacies of the show with The Times. We delved into the challenges of handling the dramatic shifts in tone throughout the series, as well as the symbolism behind Nikki’s bag. This engaging conversation has been condensed for clarity and brevity.

Review

‘Dying for Sex’ is this century’s kinky, horny ‘Love Story’

The FX limited series available on Hulu spotlights Michelle Williams and boasts an outstanding ensemble including Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, Sissy Spacek, and Esco Jouléy.

Let’s discuss the hospital scene in “Clueless” where Nikki entertains Molly with a medley of performances inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and other scenes from the 1995 film directed by Amy Heckerling. Was this part improvised or is it something you always had ready in your mind?

It’s safe to say that many of us have “Clueless” stored in our memory banks. This was intentionally written into the show, and it brought me great joy. You see, I understand it perfectly. I mean, I don’t know many millennials who haven’t exclaimed, “Oh, my God, I love Josh!” I was familiar with most of the lines, but I had to commit Amber’s to memory. I was aware that many people would be disappointed if I got them wrong.

Less so with Shakespeare.

Oh yeah, he’s very good. I mean, he’s no Amy Heckerling, but he’s very good!

In a nutshell, the portrayal in this scene resonated deeply with me, as it beautifully encapsulated what I found captivating about the series – its ability to seamlessly transition between humor and melancholy. It’s fascinating how it provokes tears amid laughter and laughter amid tears. Can you share some insights on how you managed to handle that delicate balance in the show’s tone?

In my opinion, a key aspect of this series lies in the fact that humor and sadness often coexist. To quote Michelle, Molly’s cancer diagnosis serves as a gateway for her to delve into the essence of her identity and how she has navigated the world through her erotic experiences. This concept underscores the idea that we shouldn’t isolate different aspects of ourselves because they cause discomfort. Instead, this show aims to be as emotionally comprehensive and authentic as possible, fostering intriguing performances and unpredictable plot twists. I believe this approach makes viewers feel deeply connected to the story, as it mirrors the organic unfolding of real life.

While Molly’s journey is a significant focus of the show, it also delves into the essence of nurturing and caregiving. It explores the challenges and sorrows associated with caregiving, but also highlights the unexpected joy that can arise from wanting to help someone else, even when personal well-being might be at stake. What insights did you gain about caregiving while portraying Nikki?

One aspect of this character that truly resonated with me is her view on caregiving, which she perceives as something beyond her personal identity. She’s not self-centered, but she doesn’t see herself as the go-to person for tasks like tax preparation. Instead, she’s more focused on emotional support. However, her dedication and love for the person in need make her an effective caregiver.

Caregiving, even when it seems to have a definite end due to a terminal diagnosis, is actually an ongoing, creative process. As an actor, I tried to stay adaptable, learning more about Michelle’s performance style and Molly as the character. I embraced this flexibility and let Nikki evolve during the performance. In essence, caregiving for me was like an investigation where one must provide space for growth, so I also gave myself room to grow while acting.

Entertainment & Arts

Actor Jenny Slate, known for her roles in ‘It Ends With Us’ and ‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,’ discusses her book ‘Lifeform,’ parenthood, and her decision to avoid film directing with The Times.

In my opinion, at first glance, Nikki’s bag appears to symbolize disorder. However, as the story progresses, it transforms into a magical bag similar to Mary Poppins’, always containing whatever Molly might require.

Indeed. Nikki doesn’t wind up with a designer clutch like Clare V. Instead, she maintains her authentic self. The bag remains the same, yet its purpose changes. Nikki doesn’t need to transform into someone else to be the best version of herself for both Nikki and Molly. However, they must address what’s inside – using the analogy of the bag – as some things that Nikki is carrying are not suitable for Molly at this moment and should be discarded. The same applies to Nikki. Although their personal growth tasks differ, by the end of it, Nikki has everything Molly needs – figuratively speaking, the knowledge of the right type of vibrator for Molly. In essence, Nikki’s brain is equipped with all the necessary details.

Watching the confrontational moments between them, such as the one on New Year’s Eve where Molly seemingly disregards Nikki’s arrangements (even their fancy party-like outfits) to pursue a casual encounter with a stranger, is particularly tough to endure.

It seems crucial for Molly and Nikki at this point, as they’re deeply connected and dedicated to their tasks, that they undergo differentiation to achieve success, whatever that may entail for each of them. This project offers a wealth of significant moments where change is required – change that is essential, particular, and sometimes even unexpected. It’s not a single climactic moment where everything collapses and then recovers; instead, the characters experience a full journey. And as Molly puts it before she dies, “It’s not that big of a deal.

One of my favorite scenes from the final episode is when Amy (Paula Pell) humorously yet thoughtfully describes death. Her line, ‘Your body knows how to die,’ resonated with me deeply, revealing a profound aspect about the show’s story.

Through Paula’s remarkable performance and Liz & Kim’s insightful writing, we’re guided towards a profound perspective on life and films – the inevitability of death. However, unlike other portrayals, Paula provides an intimate, internal exploration. This resonated with me when discussing end-of-life care with a hospice worker in my personal life. Amy, Paula’s character in the narrative, makes dying appear both ordinary and extraordinary – much like the experience of having an orgasm. It’s a mix of the physical and deeply personal. The body instinctively responds, and yet I, as a person, don’t often ponder death. Yet, while listening to Paula’s monologue, I found myself comforted.

Indeed, the term “soothing” seems fitting to describe that particular scene, agree? It serves to set up the ending in an unexpectedly positive manner, which is unusual for a series primarily dealing with themes of death and mortality. The final episode leaves us pondering, what exactly are we meant to interpret from it?

In the final episode’s closing scene, it becomes evident that Nikki has significantly grown from her experiences as Molly’s caregiver and lover. She recognizes herself as someone capable of profound love and connection, a truth she firmly believes in and takes pride in. This self-awareness has positively influenced her life, propelling her forward instead of leaving her stationary or fossilized due to Molly’s passing.

While Nikki will undoubtedly experience moments when memories of Molly stir emotions, the show accurately portrays that she is not inherently improved but rather transformed in a way that is acceptable. This change is a testament to the impactful bond they shared and the lessons learned from it.

Read More

2025-04-07 13:33

Previous post Silver and Blood redeem codes and how to use them (April 2025)
Next post Robert Pattinson’s new movie Mickey 17 is already available to watch at home