An Actor Prepares

An Actor Prepares is a 2018 film featuring three accomplished actors – Will Patton, Ben Schwartz, and Jeremy Irons – who masterfully create a quirky, dramatic and hilarious tale set against the backdrop of stage and cinema acting. This unique road-trip style comedic drama is brilliantly directed by Steve Clark, falling under the genres of comedy and drama. It is an English film with a runtime of approximately 97 minutes, catering particularly to adults and teenagers of all genders.

Jeremy Irons takes the lead as Atticus Smith, a renowned, hard-drinking British actor known for his rambunctious lifestyle and a slew of successful performances in both theater and film. Atticus embodies the character of an old-school showbiz persona, often living on the edge with his outrageous parties, multiple divorces, and an often-turbulent relationship with his grown-up son.

Will Patton delightfully delivers his performance as Dr. Weiss, the dedicated healthcare professional tending Atticus. He brings an interesting mix of wry humor and firm sensibility to his role, providing some unique perspective to the chaotic nature of the Smith family dynamics.

The film’s heart and soul, however, is reflected through the aspiring, conservative, and a bit uptight son of Atticus, Adam Smith, portrayed by Ben Schwartz. Adam, contrary to his father, chose to become a film professor instead of following his father’s footsteps into acting - largely due to the high drama, chaos, and hurt that always seemed prevalent in his father’s life.

The storyline takes off when Atticus suffers a massive heart attack while enjoying his typically reckless lifestyle. His serious health condition forces him to forego flying, and when he’s invited to his daughter’s wedding halfway across the country, he is left with no choice but to hit the road. The catch? His travel companion is his estranged son, Adam.

What follows is a cross-country road trip filled with gradual revelations about the past, regret, and unresolved issues, as well as situational humor, heartrending emotional scenes, and hilarious character dynamics. Facing unexpected obstacles and absurd encounters, the trip becomes an opportunity for them to share their life perspectives and personal philosophies – which could not be more polar opposite to each other. Despite the layers of resentment and bitterness, underlying it all is a complex family bond and a love that, although rarely expressed, is deeply felt.

Ben Schwartz, widely known for his comedic roles, showcases an effective blend of humor and drama in his performance as Adam. He and Jeremy Irons share a palpable tension, pulling the audience into their tangled relationship. Despite playing a questionable father figure, Irons ensures that Atticus is not just unsympathetic; he elegantly displays the character’s warmth and charm, which provides a complete picture of why he is both frustrating and loveable.

An Actor Prepares also presents a layered narrative – it’s not just a story about a strained father-son relationship – it also delves into themes of art, fame, and the cost of the choices we make in life. The audience is served with raw human emotions, enmeshed within the dynamics of a complicated but relatable family interaction.

The director, Steve Clark, brilliantly uses the backdrop of acting – a world of make-believe – to bring out the genuine emotional journey of his characters. The screenplay, co-written by Clark and Thomas Moffett, is filled with witty dialogues and heartfelt emotional exchanges that keenly capture the bizarre charm in this chaotic father-son bond.

In a nutshell, An Actor Prepares isn't just another road trip movie. The film expertly deals with the dynamics of a complicated familial relationship shrouded in a roller coaster of emotions, where laughter and tears interchange freely. As the title suggests, gratefully, you'll find yourself just as eager to embark on this journey, if not more so than the ill-prepared actor himself.