Actress Alison Brie promotes new film ‘Somebody I Used To Know,’ discusses ‘Community’ reunion rumors

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After setting off on one’s personal journey, a visit dwelling typically acts as an eye-opening measuring stick balancing out profession successes versus failed desires.

Add in some self-reflection with a touch of self-destruction, dangerous choices and youthful nudity resulting in course-correcting outcomes and the rom-com recipe is full.

That’s precisely what viewers can anticipate from new movie “Anyone I Used To Know,” which premieres Feb. 10 on Prime Video.

Written by Hollywood husband-and-wife couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, the movie is directed by Franco and stars Brie, Jay Ellis, Kiersey Clemons, Haley Joel Osment, Danny Pudi, Julie Hagerty and Amy Sedaris. It’s an unconventional love story about three individuals who unexpectedly rediscover themselves.

Brie is probably finest identified for her roles as Trudy Campbell in “Mad Males” and Annie Edison in “Neighborhood.” We not too long ago caught up along with her to debate her “Anyone I Used To Know” character Allie’s penchant for streaking, working once more with Danny Pudi and the “Neighborhood” reunion rumors.

Hey, Alison. Have you ever ever been to Cleveland?

Oh, yeah, Dave has household in Shaker Heights so I’ve been there to go to them. And as soon as I used to be on the market with Danny and (“Neighborhood” administrators) The Russos.

Congrats on the movie. When it got here time to start engaged on “Anyone I Used To Know,” what was the preliminary thought?

The style was actually the jumping-off level. We got down to make this romantic comedy, and over the course of writing it morphed into a really totally different kind of factor — an grownup coming-of-age story. However the authentic impetus actually was tapping into these rom-coms we love from the ‘80s and ‘90s — “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “My Finest Good friend’s Wedding ceremony.” These are the flicks we return to many times — our favourite motion pictures to look at, our consolation motion pictures. We wished to sort of faucet into that nostalgia after which see if we are able to subvert it and perhaps do one thing a bit sudden.

Mission completed on all accounts. There are moments in “Anyone I Used To Know” that really feel like a Hallmark film solely to seconds later digress right into a hilarious grownup comedy with sudden nudity. Relating to the latter, whose thought was that within the writing room?

(Laughs) That was all me. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable in any respect. Let’s get into it. I like streaking. I liked streaking in faculty. I went to an arts faculty the place clothes was non-obligatory in every single place however the cafeteria. This can be a truth. I’d be stunned if that have been the college’s coverage however I’ve tapped again into my love for nudity in recent times. We simply appreciated placing that into Allie’s journey within the film.

Are you able to elaborate on Allie’s story, which is mainly going dwelling after making a reputation for herself in Hollywood that doesn’t essentially match the desires she had when she left years earlier?

It’s a method to take a look at this character and form of the place she ended up in her life. Additionally to indicate the way in which that an individual inside the trade that they wished to work in can nonetheless discover themselves a reasonably far distance from the place they thought they’d find yourself. It’s like 1,000,000 tiny compromises sort of instantly land them someplace that after they take a step again and have a look at what their life has turn into, it’s not fairly what they anticipated.

So what are the professionals and cons of being married to your writing companion?

The professionals are we love one another, we get to be round one another. We get to encourage one another creatively and that’s enjoyable and totally different and thrilling. The cons are it may be tough typically setting boundaries for time when you’ll not be speaking about work. Generally it’s onerous to get a break from work whenever you dwell with the particular person you’re employed with.

Let’s have some enjoyable. What do you assume your “Mad Males” character, Trudy Campbell, must say about after watching “Anyone I Used To Know?”

Effectively, on the one hand, I feel she’d be a bit scandalized, for positive. On the identical time, I feel she’d actually respect Allie as a personality. She’d be like “You go woman.” I feel Trudie was a feminist within the physique of a housewife. She would applaud watching these fashionable ladies determine themselves out.

Alright, how about Annie Edison from “Neighborhood?”

She would like it. I feel she would particularly love that Benny character (Danny Pudi) — one thing so acquainted about that man. We wrote the position for him. Danny is certainly one of my closest pals. We hadn’t been on a set collectively since “Neighborhood” however we fell proper again into our previous methods, goofing off. It was so enjoyable.

Lastly, talking of “Neighborhood,” are the reunion rumors true?

I’m listening to it’s occurring. I texted Joel (McHale) the opposite day after I learn an article the place he stated we’re taking pictures the film this summer season. I texted him, “Capturing this summer season? I didn’t get the decision?” However I truly assume we could be. Fingers crossed, if all goes effectively, we might shoot it this summer season.