The most important thing is story.
And then: Who are the characters that embody that story?
And then: Where is the emotion?
Sissy Spacek and Robert Redford.Eric Zachanowich/Fox Searchlight
It has to have all three of those steps.
Robert Redford explained to EW last month what it takes for him to say yes.
Yes to a script, yes to a director, yes to an original idea.
How important that was, how exciting that was when you were little.
And you carry that forward in your life.
Characters embodying the story.
I became obsessed with wanting to get it to film.
It was a couple of months after the Texas-bred helmersAint Them Bodies Saintsbowed at the Redford-founded Sundance Film Festival.
Whatadditionallyhappened is that Redford led both of those films, as he grew to trust his director.
I tried writing a Michael Mann-style bank robbery heist film.
I tried making it more of a 45 years-ish look back at a life.
I could show you a bunch of different takes on this.
And so ultimately I just kind of amused myself with the script, Lowery, 37, said.
As a result, Im not quite sure what it is we made.
I just wanted to make the movie lighthearted and to be amusing and fun.
And if it does that, if theres anything more than that, thats icing on the cake.
Redford, who said he is retiring from acting after this film, spoke similarly of the films vibe.
Why not go out with something thats very upbeat and positive?
He rolls down the window and the camera just holds on his face for like a good 30 seconds.
