You People is a star-studded new approach to the romantic comedy genre. The movie follows Ezra, who dreams of love and his podcast becoming wildly popular. A chance meeting with Amira seems to be the start of his dreams coming true as the young couple falls in love and eventually becomes engaged, but troubles arise when they introduce their parents. Although the couple has a solid foundation and great love for one another, the external pressures may prove too much as the wedding date approaches.
You People explores the modern hardships that couples face with generational disconnect, race, religion, and societal expectations on top of disapproving parents. You People is Kenya Barris’ feature directorial debut, from a screenplay co-written by Barris and star Jonah Hill. The movie features an impressive cast with Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, Nia Long, and Lauren London.
Screen Rant spoke with Louis-Dreyfus and Duchovny about their new movie, You People. Louis-Dreyfus and Duchovny revealed how they relate to their characters and what they thought of Kenya Barris’ collaborative approach to directing. They also discussed how comedy can open the door to harder conversations.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus & David Duchovny On You People
Screen Rant: First of all, amazing job on this film. Both of you perfectly encapsulate the awkward parents trying so hard, but it’s clearly out of love. Can you talk about crafting your characters and finding the chemistry between the two of you?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Yes. David and I, we’d never worked together before. But when we met on this film, I felt as if we’d known each other a long time, and we immediately connected. We both have kids roughly the same age and…
David Duchovny: A lot younger than Jonah Hill.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: A lot younger. You know, we’re very badly cast, but let’s just say it up front because we’re way too young for it.
David Duchovny: Elephant in the room, right?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Yeah. It’s the elephant in the room, so we just want to get that out of the way. But the idea of playing somebody who, a well-to-do family on the west side of Los Angeles, who are unbelievably well-intentioned and very left leaning and really leaning into that trope was a fun exercise to say the least.
Absolutely. David, this story feels so relevant, especially today with newer generations having different mentalities than their parents. Why do you think approaching such a serious topic through comedy just works so well?
David Duchovny: I think you answered your own question. I think comedy opens doors. Comedy disarms you. Comedy. Comedy, you know when you’re laughing, you’re breathing. Did you know that?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Oh, yeah. That’s a fabulous thing. Did you just think that up?
David Duchovny: I did.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Actually, Margaret Cho said that, I believe.
David Duchovny: Oh, well, still true. But anyway. No, I’m kidding about that. But yeah, I just think it’s disarming. It takes your guard down, literally. You know, surprises you and makes you kind of childlike. So I would hope that’s a good place, that’s why people love going to comedies, but it’s also a good place to start a conversation from.
There’s that dinner scene, which was hilarious. Every actor elevated that moment and the comedic timing was tremendous, but it was a real conversation. How much of that was on the page, and how much of that was in the moment?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: You’re talking about the big scene with both sets of parents? I’m going to say that scene was very much on the page, if I’m remembering correctly. There may have been some improvisation within it, but if memory serves, that was very much written. And I’m happy about that too, because it was a thoughtful approach to the conversation. These are very sensitive subjects, right? We want to get it right, in terms of the comedy.
Kenya Barris is amazing and does a great job with his directorial debut. Can you talk to me about working with Kenya and what his directing style added to You People?
David Duchovny: I just feel really comfortable with Kenya. I don’t know if laidback is the term, but he’s very relaxed on the surface. I’m sure he’s got a million things on his mind, but you didn’t feel hurried to nail it. It was really exploratory and kind of working on improv through things as he’s directing you through an improv, pitching you ideas, pitching you lines, things like that. So I really loved that aspect of working with Kenya.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Yeah. And he was a great collaborator. Nothing was precious and very kind and generous with his actors.
David Duchovny: And he’s really willing to go down rabbit holes to try to find [stuff]. He has an instinct that there’s something funny there, and you’ll be watching it happen, and you’re like, “Oh Jesus, this is never going to end.” And then all of a sudden there’s a moment, and you’re like, “Oh, that was worthwhile.”
About You People
All Ezra wants is to find love and for his podcast to take off when a chance meeting with Amira seems to be the answers to his dreams. Ezra and Amira are swept up in a whirlwind romance that leads to an engagement, but with this happy news comes the complication of introducing the soon-to-be in-laws. When cultures, religions, and generations clash, Ezra and Amira’s love is tested.
Check out our other You People interviews here:
- Eddie Murphy
- Nia Long & Kenya Barris
- Sam Jay & Travis Bennett
You People is in select theaters now and will premiere on Netflix on January 27.
