LOS ANGELES — Is he supposed to be Bob Ross or not?
“Paint” stars Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, and Wendi McLendon. Brit McAdams directed and wrote the film, and it is the story of a Bob Ross-like figure, but the only real thing in common between Bob Ross and Wilson’s character Carl Nargle is the hairstyle.
In “Paint,” Carl Nargle is Vermont’s No. 1 public television painter who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van and fans hanging on his every stroke until a younger, better artist steals everything and everyone Carl loves. By spending his whole life trying to paint the perfect picture of who he is as an artist and a person, McAdams says Carl fails to address his flaws and those around him. In many ways, Carl has not changed while the world around him has changed.
Making the film was not easy. It took McAdams over 13 years to create “Paint.” It was a process that he says would come together and then fall apart repeatedly.
“Making a film can really take a lot out of you. It was a long process. I wrote it in 2010 and it was on the blacklist, which is a list of highly regarded unproduced screenplays. Where we are right now is remarkable,” he said.
As he wrote the story, McAdams said he did not necessarily have anyone in mind to play Carl, but when Wilson came on board, it became very clear to him that Wilson was his man to play Carl.
“Owen is such a good actor. He is such a good person to work with and he sets a really good tone for the whole production. Owen’s dad ran a PBS station in Texas and his mom is an artist. You got comedy, PBS, art, good guy, and he himself is a big art collector, so he really knows that world,” said McAdams.
He also added that, like the character he plays, Wilson knows what it is like to be a rock star in his 20s.
“It was such a blessing having him read the script but to come on the film because he just understands it on so many levels,” said McAdams.
McAdams also praised the rest of the cast. He says Michaela Watkins brought warmth and vulnerability to Katherine, Carl’s ex, and he says Wendi McClendon is one of the most loved people in comedy and an absolute scene-stealer.
“We just had a blast playing these characters,” said McLendon.
While Watkins and McClendon’s characters are in love with Carl, Watkins says she was glad the script did not have women pitted against each other and compete with each other.
“They are actually sweetly supportive of each other though they are not necessarily aligned,” said Watkins.
Watkins also says the film is not typical and is different from how we are used to seeing Wilson presented in comedy.
“This is pretty goofy, but subtle and slow, quiet. Very indie vibes,” she said.
McLendon told Spectrum News that she hopes more indie comedies make it to theaters.
As for one of the core messages of “Paint,” McAdams says, “If you spend your whole life painting the perfect picture, you’re going to miss the best parts of life.”
“Paint” is now playing only in theaters.