Ben Stiller's new movie 'Nutcrackers' was made "without cynicism and viciousness".
Ben Stiller's new movie is a wholesome affair
The actor is back on screen for his first film role in seven years playing a workaholic who leaves the city and travels to rural Ohio to care for his four orphaned nephews - and Ben has revealed the script tempted him back into the spotlight because it was so wholesome and he was impressed by his young co-stars - brothers Homer, Ulysses, Atlas and Arlo Janson.
Speaking at a screening of the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ben explained: "I made a choice a few years ago I was only going to do something if it really resonated with me. I wanted to meet these boys and be part of this ... "
Director David Gordon Green added: "There was a part of me who thought there was a time to do something different. I challenged myself to make a movie without cynicism and viciousness."
Ben went on to insist he wanted the film to be seen in cinemas rather than going straight to a streaming platform, adding: "It’s important for us to experience a movie like this in a theatre. We need more movies like this on screen. It’s nostalgic for us, but it’s what people enjoy."
In in interview with Indiewire.com, Green admitted he wanted to make a movie his young kids could watch after directing a slew of horrors including 'the Exorcist: Believer' and three 'Halloween' films.
He explained: "For 'Nutcrackers', I wanted to make a movie my kids could see. I have young twin sons and I’m not going to let them watch a lot of the movies I’ve made …
"They are not making 'Uncle Buck' or 'Home Alone' right now. Or, they are in a polished, manicured way that goes to a streaming platform.
"You can plug your kids into those movies, but you’re not sharing those experiences. I wanted to make a movie that had the saltiness of 'The Bad News Bears' with messy, rough-around-the-edges kids."
Tagged in Ben Stiller David Gordon Green