Podcast Summary: The Big Picture — "The Top 10 Garbage Love Movies, ‘Companion,’ and ‘You’re Cordially Invited’" (Released February 7, 2025)

Hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins from The Ringer, "The Big Picture" delves into the realm of cinema, offering reviews, top lists, and insightful discussions. In this episode, the hosts explore the concept of "Garbage Love Movies," analyze the thriller "Companion," and review the comedy "You’re Cordially Invited." The episode also features an engaging conversation with Drew Hancock, the writer and director of "Companion."

1. Opening Discussion: Trailers Review

Timestamp: [02:22] - [05:31]

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins kick off the episode by discussing the trailers for two highly anticipated summer releases: "Fantastic Four" and "Jurassic World Rebirth."

• Fantastic Four:

  • Rob Harvilla expresses his skepticism, noting the film's mid-century modern aesthetic and the ambiguity surrounding its timeline. He questions whether the movie is sincere or satirical, highlighting the challenges of reviving a legendary but arguably outdated Marvel brand.
  • Sean Fennessey adds humor by comparing their on-air personas to the Fantastic Four characters, jokingly assigning roles like the Invisible Woman and Reed Richards to the hosts.

  Rob Harvilla [04:11]: "Fantastic Four is one of the most legendary Marvel comics created in the 1960s... but it’s a little hard to convey that story."

• Jurassic World Rebirth:

  • Sean Fennessey discusses the film's lead actors, including Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, noting their strong performances despite the franchise's fluctuating quality.
  • Rob Harvilla praises the film's visual effects but criticizes its script, comparing certain sequences to Godzilla in water.

  Sean Fennessey [07:44]: "I guess they did just a better job with the CGI and that’s cool."

2. Introducing "Companion" with Drew Hancock

Timestamp: [14:37] - [38:29]

The conversation shifts to the main topic of the episode: "Companion," a thriller-horror-sci-fi hybrid written and directed by Drew Hancock.

• Overview of "Companion":

  • The film centers on a group of friends who encounter a robot designed to be a companion, exploring themes of AI ethics and relationships.
  • Amanda Dobbins and Rob Harvilla discuss the movie’s premise and its balance between entertainment and underlying messages about technology and human connection.

  Sean Fennessey [16:54]: "Here is my advice to aspiring filmmakers. If you don't want your movie released in February, find a different angle."

• Themes and Execution:

  • The hosts commend the film for its clever writing and the way it handles the robot character without overtly preaching ethical lessons.
  • Rob Harvilla likens the movie to works by the Coen Brothers and Terminator, praising its ability to blend humor with thriller elements.

  Rob Harvilla [24:08]: "But it's really more of, like, a comedy thriller, I would say."

• Character Analysis:

  • Sophie Thatcher’s portrayal of the robot is highlighted as a standout performance, effectively conveying the character’s transformation from passive to empowered.

  Sean Fennessey [27:14]: "There's a bit of Anya Taylor-Joy about her in her... there's a reason she was cast as a robot."

3. Exploring "Garbage Love Movies"

Timestamp: [51:13] - [80:53]

Sean Fennessey introduces the concept of "Garbage Love Movies," defining them as genre films that attempt to incorporate love stories, often resulting in poorly executed narratives aimed at attracting female audiences. The hosts categorize these films into horror, action, and science fiction, discussing various examples and their shortcomings.

• Characteristics of Garbage Love Movies:

  • Rob Harvilla describes them as "a specific brand of genre movie utilizing the framework of classic romance stories, but usually in a craven bid to get women to come see genre movies."

  Sean Fennessey [51:50]: "Yes, this is a perfect definition."

• Notable Examples Discussed:

  • "Passengers" (2014): Critiqued for lacking chemistry between leads despite a compelling premise.
  • "The Adjustment Bureau" (2011): Mentioned for its convoluted plot and forced romance elements.
  • "Twilight" Series: While the original is defended as good, subsequent installments are labeled as garbage love.

  Sean Fennessey [57:09]: "So, Twilight is deeply important to the American canon of cinema."

• Action and Horror Variants:

  • Movies like "Shotgun Wedding" and "Zombieland" are discussed, with a preference for action-based garbage love movies over the ponderous sci-fi ones.
  • Amanda Dobbins expresses her disdain for the overuse of recognizable stars in these poorly constructed narratives.

  Rob Harvilla [65:38]: "Do you have a preference out of horror, action, and science fiction that you prefer here?"

4. Conversation with Drew Hancock: The Making of "Companion"

Timestamp: [84:21] - [127:12]

The episode transitions to an in-depth interview with Drew Hancock, the creative force behind "Companion." Drew shares his journey from an Omaha upbringing to Hollywood, detailing the challenges and serendipitous moments that led to the creation of his directorial debut.

• Background and Inspiration:

  • Drew recounts his early passion for movies, inspired by classics like "Pulp Fiction," and his non-traditional path into filmmaking.
  • He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-awareness, and adaptability in the entertainment industry.

  Drew Hancock [85:05]: "I was yearning to create content and immerse myself in the process."

• Development of "Companion":

  • The script took over a year of writing and rewriting, reflecting Drew's desire to blend multiple genres without overloading the narrative with heavy metaphors.
  • Drew Hancock discusses the influence of Channel 101, a monthly film festival format, on honing his storytelling skills.

  Drew Hancock [98:56]: "Self-awareness is, I think, one of the most important qualities for someone to have."

• Casting Choices:

  • The selection of Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher was a pivotal moment. Drew highlights their chemistry and commitment to bringing depth to their roles.
  • Sophie Thatcher's nuanced performance as the robot was particularly lauded, adding layers to the character's journey from subservient to autonomous.

  Rob Harvilla [114:21]: "She makes the movie."

• Themes and Messages:

  • "Companion" serves as a metaphor for toxic relationships and the quest for self-empowerment.
  • The film also comments on the dehumanizing aspects of technology and social media, portraying AI characters with empathy rather than as mere antagonists.

  Drew Hancock [111:10]: "It's about love, but also not being allowed to have sex and like, really wanting it, which is interesting."

• Challenges in Production:

  • Transitioning from a writer to director was fraught with uncertainties, but Drew credits Zach Kreger and Roy Lee for believing in his vision and allowing him to helm the project.
  • The collaborative process ensured that the film remained tightly constructed, avoiding common pitfalls in genre filmmaking.

  Drew Hancock [117:11]: "We should listen to Drew talk about it too, because he... the movies having ideas but not being obsessed with their ideas is interesting."

5. Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Timestamp: [127:12] - [End]

The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to participate in future segments and promoting upcoming content.

• Upcoming Segments:

  • A mailbag segment is teased for the following week, inviting listeners to share their thoughts and suggestions for garbage love films.

  Rob Harvilla [127:09]: "Email us at bigpickmailbagmail.com if you wanna tell us some garbage love films that we forgot about."

• Final Thoughts:

  • The hosts briefly touch on award shows and personal anecdotes before signing off, maintaining their signature blend of humor and insightful commentary.

  Rob Harvilla [130:00]: "But I do agree with you. I found this movie quite mediocre, but I didn’t hate it."

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Harvilla [04:11]: "Fantastic Four is one of the most legendary Marvel comics created in the 1960s... but it’s a little hard to convey that story."
• Sean Fennessey [16:54]: "Here is my advice to aspiring filmmakers. If you don't want your movie released in February, find a different angle."
• Sean Fennessey [51:50]: "Yes, this is a perfect definition."
• Drew Hancock [98:56]: "Self-awareness is, I think, one of the most important qualities for someone to have."
• Rob Harvilla [114:21]: "She makes the movie."

Conclusion:

In this episode of "The Big Picture," Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins provide a critical yet entertaining exploration of so-called "Garbage Love Movies," dissect the intricacies of the film "Companion," and offer candid reviews of current releases. The insightful interview with Drew Hancock offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of bringing a genre-blending film to life. Whether you're a cinephile or a casual moviegoer, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of romantic genre films.