With Terri opening in limited release this weekend, I recently had the chance to chat with the actors as well as director Azazel Jacobs (Momma’s Man). The story, crafted out of exchanges between short story writer Patrick Dewitt (Ablutions) and Jacobs, centers on high school misfit Terri, played with great candor by newcomer Jacob Wysocki, and his unlikely friendship with his Vice Principal (John C. Reilly). Actress Olivia Crocicchia (Rescue Me) stars as Terri’s only friend and crush, while The Office’s Creed Bratton plays the boy’s semi-lucid uncle.
The film has both a maturity and youthfulness to it, separating it from some of the other indies this summer. Jacobs’ thoughtful pace allows for uniquely honest moments to occur, oscillating from poignant to laugh-out-laud funny—not to mention, the director’s fascination with nature adds a rare documentary feel. During the interview, we discuss the development of the project, Wysocki’s relatability to Terri, and some of the actors’ own high school experiences. Hit the jump for the interview.
Question: First off, about the pajamas, what was that all about? What did you think when you read that in the script?
Jacob Wysocki: I guess my first initial reaction was “that’s weird” but that was like the first time I read it, before the first read. Then I did my first audition and I came back and it started to make sense that it’s just like about this person who’s just at this point where it’s like, “Well, it can’t get much worse, so I might as ...
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