LOS ANGELES: As the man behind the dysfunctional ad man Don Draper, creator of television series Mad Men, Mathew Weiner, has had experience in exploring the male psyche. His interest continues with his directorial debut feature film Are You There? The film focuses on the reality of a male friendship as two grown men are shown in a state of arrested development. As much as he wants his film to be received well, it is the mystery around ending Draper’s journey that is exciting him.
Fans are already discussing how Draper’s journey will end next year. Does that put pressure
on you?
I am constantly interested in the audience. I want them to work a little bit because they get pleasure out of putting things together, but when it comes to the ending of the show, the audience has so many voices and they change over time. I keep my solicitation of opinions to my wife, incredible writing staff, the people I work with and the actors. They are the audience that I am interested in pleasing and none of them have ever withheld honesty from me.
How do you feel about Mad Men being nominated for four Emmys next week including Best Drama again?
I am thrilled that we are included in this again. The fact that none of the actors on our show have won, I have all of the chauvinism I can possibly have about the fact that these are, and I think will remain recognised, as some of the great performances of this era in television. They are nominated; it’s not like they’re being ignored and the show has been recognised. But every year, there’s a story about why Jon Hamm was beaten by someone else or about Elisabeth Moss and why she wasn’t nominated. You just don’t want the lack of recognition to be a reflection on the quality.
With Mad Men wrapping up, are you looking at more movie projects?
I’m not withdrawing from show business, but I am using this period, at least until the show goes off the air, to replenish and find out what’s on my mind. I know I’m allowed that, but there’s also the time when you’re like, ‘Will everybody forget me? Will I be scrambling when I get back to work?’ You don’t want to disappear.
What did you want to explore about the ‘bromance’ through two childhood friends in Are You Here?
They think they’re in a stoner comedy together and then all of a sudden, you realise Owen Wilson’s character has a substance abuse problem and Zach Galifianakis’ character is mentally ill. As the reality starts to sink in, it’s not like there are no jokes throughout it, but you get stripped away to what I hope is a more poignant and slightly emotional examination of what holds us together.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2014.
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