Judy Greer easily embraced Michael Shannon’s film-directing debut, the somber “Eric LaRue,” with its sadly relevant subject of children killing children.
Inspired, obviously, by terrible events, “Eric LaRue” casts Greer, 49, as Eric’s mother Janice, who can’t bring herself to visit her son in prison, a school shooter sentenced for murdering three bullying classmates.
The role, a rare lead in a career that spans decades, was enticing because of Shannon. “Mike wanting me to be part of the first movie he ever directed was hugely flattering,” she said in a Zoom interview.
“On top of that, this story was really moving and layered. I was scared to tell it but it’s important as an artist to help shed light onto tricky subjects and feelings.”
While Janice is asked by her Presbyterian minister to meet with the grieving mothers in the hope of healing, her husband Ron (Alexander Skarsgård) embraces a rival pastor who preaches a harshly judgmental religion where women know their place.
Where did Greer begin?
“With a little bit of research, I started seeing who these women were, what their experience was.
“When we see Janice and Ron, it’s almost like two strangers in this house. They don’t have a strong enough foundation that can carry them through something like this. So, we’re watching the unraveling of this couple. We’re watching them try to find comfort away from each other in other places besides the marriage. In separate churches and in separate ways.
“Janice is wanting to connect with these mothers and have a moment with them so she can come out of this fog. While Ron is engaging in a religion that says, It’s all a divine plan. If you believe in God, you believe everything’s that happened is meant to be.
“It was so beautiful but so sad to see where they have ended up.”
As to why Janice hasn’t visited Eric in prison?
“I keep trying to answer that for myself,” Greer said. “When we were making the movie, it felt like she needed to have answers before she went to him.
“Certainly, the mothers talk about how awful it is that their kids are gone. They would definitely love to see their kid. Janice needed to resolve her own grief before she could see him.
“But I do think about that a lot. I mean, I think about this movie all the time. And it changes for me — what it’s about and what I sit with about it.
“I certainly haven’t necessarily moved on, even though we shot it a while ago. I think part of the reason is because we as a society, have not moved on from this.”
“Eric LaRue” is in theaters April 4
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