Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening and Larry Wilmore Go Large in 'Jerry and Marge'
"Jerry and Marge Goes Large” wins the lottery with a stellar cast, including legends Cranston and Bening. They sat down with FilmSpeak to discuss how they brought this unbelievable true story to life.
It takes a truly gifted actor to make a line such as “I am the one who knocks” sound intimidating, while also making you chuckle during the same show in a different, whitey-tighty underwear-clad moment of levity. A performer who can play a fallen cancer survivor, building a meth empire as well as they can an avuncular senior trying to embrace the retirement that’s been thrust upon him. Bryan Cranston, one of the more diverse performers of this generation, is just such an actor.
As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to watch his latest outing, Jerry and Marge Go Large, where he plays the latter, more affable character once again, coupling Cranston with yet another icon of the film industry in Annette Bening, performer capable of the same impressive range, should convince anyone to stream the film.
Jerry and Marge Go Large is inspired by the remarkable true story of retiree Jerry Selbee (Cranston), who discovers a mathematical loophole in the Massachusetts lottery and, with the help of his wife, Marge (Bening), wins millions and uses the money to revive their small Michigan town. When the two eventually corporatize their strategy to bring in ‘investors’ and increase their winnings, they turn to their community, including their trusted small town accountant, Steve (Wilmore). In addition to Cranston, Bening and Wilmore, the cast includes Rainn Wilson, Anna Camp, Ann Harada, Jake McDorman, Michael McKean and Uly Schlesinger.
Cranston, Bening and Wilmore discussed this lighthearted story about finding a spark in life, and helping those around you. The sense of community is one of the more charming aspects of this film, and it starts with the titular duo. The two experienced actors have a beautiful on screen partnership that was required to carry film, and does so beautifully. The respect they have for each other’s work is no doubt what helped create this trust. “Bryan has this earnest sincerity about him, and that’s very much a part of Jerry”, Bening says of her costar. “Jerry is also very sensitive, like some actors are, and Bryan’s got that, the well-developed heart’. Cranston ever the comedian cuts down the compliment indicating he can merely '“pretend to be crying anytime” he wants. Yet the film very much proves that, as Jerry is unflinchingly likeable; a reserved sheepish individual who wants to maintain a role in life where he feels he’s making a difference. A devout family man and husband, a mathematical savant, and ultimately a main character audiences will support.
When given the opportunity to reciprocate, Cranston discusses how Bening “knows what she wants, and what she doesn’t want” a quality he clearly admires and one he says that comes later in a person’s life, and only through experience. “The best thing to know in your life is what you want” adds Cranston. As Bening grins and thanks her costar for the compliment, they recognize how much ‘being in control’ is important not only as an actor, but in Bening’s portrayal. “Marge was known as ‘Marge the Sarge” says Cranston as he shifts to talking about the real life Marge Selbee. “She had to keep kind of a strict house, and she doesn’t suffer fools, and I think that’s something they have in common”.
That, of course, is not to say that this tale is by any means overly-dramatic or serious, even with ‘Marge the Sarge’. Yet another experienced performer (and experience comedy writer) Larry Wilmore, along with a cast of great supporting cast members definitely bring levity and smiles to the film. The Bernie Mac Show creator, who at the time was making that sweet Peabody Award money, reflected on what his first big splurge was when he became successful. “By the time I did the Bernie Mac Show, I was married with a couple of kids” says Wilmore. “So it was nothing for me, it was all about considering the future”. He also suggests that ‘Jerry and Marge’ is such an enjoyable story because of how this inspirational tale is partially true, which brings a little sunshine into a dark-news-driven world.
After watching the film, it’s easy to feel that If there were more real stories like the Selbees, if there were more lighthearted films like ‘Jerry and Marge Goes Large’ and if there were more performers like Cranston, Bening and Wilmore who bring joy and levity to many of their projects, we could all consider the future to be …just a little bit sunnier.
Jerry and Marge Go Large streams on Paramount+ June 17th.
Be sure to watch the full video interviews below:
