Melanie Lynskey, the star of 'Don't Say Good Luck,' has a lot to say about her experience working on the Netflix movie, her fear of singing, and her role as a mother. In this interview, she opens up about her journey, her craft, and the challenges of portraying a complex character. Lynskey's insights offer a glimpse into the making of a film that explores the power of maternal love and the complexities of family dynamics.
Overcoming Fear and Finding Authenticity
One of the most memorable moments in the film is when Elizabeth, played by Lynskey, belts out Katy Perry's 'Firework' in a public parking lot. For Lynskey, this scene was a test of her acting abilities and a personal challenge. She reveals, "I’m petrified of singing. I love karaoke, but I’m like the Simon Cowell of karaoke, I always say, because I tell people what songs to sing and then say, ‘That’s not your song.'" The actor's fear of singing was a significant hurdle, but with the help of a vocal coach, she managed to overcome it. "Fiora got me to a place where I felt so comfortable. There were so many people standing in the street, watching because everyone wanted to see if they could see Adam. I was okay to just do it, and it’s a miracle. She’s a miracle worker, truly."
Lynskey's ability to connect with her character and bring authenticity to the scene is a testament to her skill. She explains, "The first time I really fell for your character was when Elizabeth is belting out ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry in the parking lot. You just keep going! Can you tell me about filming that?" Her performance, despite the fear, was powerful and moving, leaving a lasting impression on both the crew and the audience.
The Power of Motherhood and Family Bonds
Elizabeth's role as a mother is a central theme in the film. Lynskey, a mother herself, shares her thoughts on the character's journey. "Elizabeth works so hard in the movie to put on a happy face and hide her pain from her daughter. As a mother myself, do you relate to that instinct, and do you think Elizabeth was right to do that?" She reflects on the protective instinct that mothers often have, saying, "We’re very honest with our daughter. We talk to her about everything. She talks to us about everything. So it’s a little hard for me to imagine… but also you do have a protective instinct. You do want to shield your kids. I understood it, even though I don’t know if that would be exactly what I would do."
Lynskey's personal experiences as a mother have greatly influenced her portrayal of Elizabeth. She explains, "For me, being a mother is just the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I had my daughter when I was 41, so I had a lot of a life before I had her. I feel like a different person, you know? She’s just my whole world. I love her so much. I’m obsessed with her. She knows that. I think having that to hold on to when you’re playing a mother, and realizing the things you love about your child are so specific and unique to them. And they’re also things that you’ve been seeing in them since they were babies. It just helps so much with a performance when you are playing a mother, and you know what the experience is like."
Working with Adam Sandler and the Sandler Family
The film is produced by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company. Lynskey shares her thoughts on working with Sandler and the dynamics of the Sandler family. "Tell me a little bit about working with Adam Sandler, who’s a producer on this film, and your take of how the whole Sandler family works together for these Happy Madison productions." She praises Sandler's approach, saying, "He’s a wonderful producer. He was very a nice mix of hands-on and hands-off. Sunny’s such an incredible actress, and she was very much doing her own thing. There was nobody stepping in with anything to do with anyone’s performance. He was very much in charge of what the tone was going to be, and also setting the tone on set, in terms of like being a wonderful human being—being very kind to everybody, being very personable."
Lynskey's positive experience working with the Sandler family highlights the relaxed and supportive environment that Happy Madison productions are known for. She concludes, "I do understand why people go back and work with him and the company time and time again, because it’s just very relaxed, very easy. I see why people are so loyal because, they’re great people. Jackie’s amazing. Sunny’s amazing. Sadie’s amazing. They’re just a really good family."
Wrapping Up 'Yellowjackets'
Lynskey has recently wrapped filming the fourth and final season of 'Yellowjackets.' She reflects on the emotional journey of the show and the impact it has had on her life. "Have you wrapped on filming the fourth and final season of 'Yellowjackets'? And if so, without giving too many details, can you say what kind of scene was the last one that you filmed?" She shares, "I have wrapped. I finished a week and a half ago. I filmed a scene with Warren Kole, who plays Jeff. That was the last scene we filmed, and it was the scene, on the last day of shooting. So it was a wrap for the entire series. It was crazy. I mean, they said, ‘That’s a wrap on Yellowjackets!’ Everybody was clapping and cheering, and Warren and I were just sitting there, just staring at each other. It was very hard for us to process the fact that that was the last time. He’s such a treasure to me. I just love him so much. I said to him, ‘I don’t think we’re going to get to work together again.’ And he was like, ‘I know.’ It just has been such a joy. He’s just one of the greatest scene partners I’ve ever, ever had in my life."
Lynskey's journey from overcoming her fear of singing to wrapping up a significant part of her career is a testament to her dedication and talent. As she reflects on her experiences, she leaves us with a powerful message about the importance of authenticity and the impact of storytelling. "For me, being a mother is just the greatest thing I’ve ever done." Her words resonate, reminding us of the power of personal connections and the magic that happens when we bring our true selves to our work.
