Michael Cera & Michael Angarano talk mentally Un-Adjusted in new comedy Sacramento

Summary

This interview explores the complex relationships of two characters, Glenn and Ricky, who both place emotional burdens on those around them. Glenn struggles with being a supportive husband, while Ricky, despite his carefree demeanor, carries his own emotional baggage. Both characters attempt to help others, yet avoid addressing their own issues. Themes of personal growth, the weight of friendships and family, and the evolving nature of relationships are central. The conversation also hints at a potential sequel, exploring these characters as fathers, and further deepening their emotional journeys.

Takeaways

• 😀 Glenn feels a deep responsibility to support his pregnant wife, but his emotional burden becomes a strain on their relationship.
• 😀 Kristen, Glenn's wife, finds relief in having space from him, suggesting the emotional toll Glenn has on her.
• 😀 Glenn's avoidance of Ricky reflects his inability to meet Ricky's emotional needs, as Glenn feels overwhelmed and unable to provide more.
• 😀 Ricky, though carefree, carries significant emotional baggage, complicating his attempts to fix others in an effort to heal himself.
• 😀 Both Glenn and Ricky believe they are more evolved than they truly are, struggling to apply the personal growth they've achieved in other areas of their lives.
• 😀 Ricky's dismissal from group therapy highlights his inability to practice what he's learned, with the therapist urging him to focus on applying his knowledge to real life.
• 😀 Friendships, especially as we age, evolve and sometimes carry emotional weight, making it difficult to give the same energy to them as before.
• 😀 Parenthood impacts relationships and personal bandwidth, leading to a shift in how much one can invest in friendships or other people.
• 😀 Despite the weight friendships may carry, true friends tend to stick around, and you continue to evolve with them.
• 😀 The speaker expresses interest in exploring the characters further, specifically imagining them as fathers in a sequel, and the potential dynamics of their relationships with children.

Q & A

What emotional burden does Glenn feel in his relationship with his pregnant wife?

Glenn feels like an emotional and psychological burden to his wife, as she seeks relief from him during her pregnancy. He struggles to fulfill his role as a supportive husband and often creates tension between them.

Why does Glenn avoid Ricky, and how does Ricky contribute to this tension?

Glenn avoids Ricky because Ricky wants something from him that Glenn no longer feels equipped to give. Glenn has emotional limitations and doesn't have the bandwidth to support Ricky as Ricky expects, which causes strain in their relationship.

How does Ricky's carefree persona contrast with the emotional baggage he carries?

Although Ricky presents himself as carefree and free-spirited, he actually carries a significant amount of emotional baggage. His attempt to fix others often masks his own unresolved issues, leading to contradictions in his character.

What is the underlying theme about people who try to fix others?

The underlying theme is that people who are emotionally or psychologically broken often try to fix others in an attempt to distract themselves from their own issues. Both Ricky and Glenn embody this idea, believing they can help others despite not addressing their own needs.

How does Ricky's failure to apply his own knowledge to his life affect his journey?

Ricky believes that by acquiring knowledge and personal growth, he has evolved, but he fails to apply these lessons to his own life. This contradiction hinders his emotional development and keeps him stuck in a cycle of unresolved issues.

What role does the therapist play in Ricky's character development?

The therapist, Rosalyn Chow, plays a crucial role in Ricky's character development by pointing out that Ricky needs to live his life and put his knowledge into practice. She highlights his failure to apply what he's learned, which catalyzes a pivotal moment in his journey.

What is the significance of friendships evolving as people get older?

As people grow older, their priorities and bandwidth change, leading to the evolution of friendships. The speaker highlights how, especially after having children, one's ability to devote time and energy to relationships diminishes, but real friendships endure despite these changes.

What does the speaker mean by 'weight' in relationships?

The 'weight' in relationships refers to the emotional burden or responsibility that one person may feel towards another. This weight can affect friendships and family dynamics, especially when the emotional needs of others become difficult to manage.

How does the idea of 'bandwidth' affect personal relationships?

The concept of 'bandwidth' refers to the emotional capacity one has to engage in relationships. As people age and acquire more responsibilities, such as raising children, their bandwidth shrinks, making it harder to give the same level of attention to others, which can lead to changes in the quality and closeness of relationships.

What is the potential direction for a sequel, 'Sacramento 2'?

In 'Sacramento 2,' the speaker expresses interest in exploring the characters' journeys as fathers, focusing on how they evolve in their new roles. The sequel would also delve into the emotional legacies they pass on to their children, offering more insight into their personal growth and the unresolved issues from the first film.