Julianne Moore Praises 'The Debut' Script as Jesse Eisenberg's Musical Comedy Closes London Film Festival
Julianne Moore and Jesse Eisenberg's musical comedy, "The Debut," brought the London Film Festival to a triumphant close, drawing significant praise. Moore described the script as "one of the best I've ever read," while Eisenberg, the film's writer and director, expressed his deep admiration for his lead actress. The film, which centers on a New Jersey housewife's unexpected journey into community theater, captivated the audience at the Royal Festival Hall, marking a high point for the festival's conclusion.
Eisenberg initiated the on-stage dialogue by professing his admiration for Moore, humorously noting that despite starring his favorite person, the story of "The Debut" serendipitously mirrored his own life experience. He recounted his early immersion in community theater at the age of seven, a formative period that profoundly influenced him. This personal connection drove him to craft a narrative reflecting that transformative experience, with Moore serving as a constant source of inspiration throughout the writing process. He remarked on the profound satisfaction of directing and editing her performance over two years.
Moore, elegantly dressed, reciprocated the compliments, hailing "The Debut" as an "extraordinary gift" and proclaiming it among the most exceptional screenplays she had encountered. She articulated the immense honor and daily joy of working on the project, praising Eisenberg as a remarkable writer, exemplary director, and extraordinary talent. Eisenberg, with characteristic wit, responded to her accolades, quipping that he is only ever called "beautiful" when referring to his writing.
The UK premiere of "The Debut" saw the cast fully embrace the spirit of the film, with attendees receiving mock Playbills for the fictional musical "Nosy Neighbors." The screening was filled with enthusiastic laughter and rounds of applause, particularly for Moore's dynamic performance. Regrettably, Paul Giamatti, who plays director Jerry Blankenbuehler, was unable to attend due to COVID-19. Eisenberg expressed his regret at Giamatti's absence, describing him as a wonderful person whose insights the audience would have enjoyed, and revealed that both Giamatti and Moore have been his favorite actors since his youth.
Beyond Moore and Giamatti, the cast features Eisenberg himself, alongside Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan, and Bonnie Milligan, portraying actors within the musical. Bernadette Peters, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy, and Havana Rose Liu also contribute to the ensemble. Eisenberg described the experience of acting alongside his childhood idols as both thrilling and peculiar, feeling somewhat overwhelmed in their presence. He jokingly stated his hope of never acting with them again, humorously suggesting their talent made him perform at his "worst self."
The film previously debuted at the Telluride Film Festival, garnering critical acclaim and generating Oscar buzz for Moore's leading role. Owen Gleiberman, Variety's chief film critic, lauded "The Debut" as a witty and captivating narrative, drawing parallels to the Coen brothers' unique style in its comedic exploration of small-town theater. "The Debut" is slated for a theatrical release on December 11, distributed by A24.
