Teen Romance fans are happy – we have new content. Everythinga series Netflix based on the challenged young adult novel of the same name with a recognized writer Judy Blume Hit Netflix on May 8th. First released in 1975 – around the time when oral birth control began to become very popular – the novel Everything He made cultural waves thanks to Blume’s sincere depictions of teenage relationships, showing what he seems to fall in love with as a teenager and openly explore your sexuality.
This same basic story comes to life on screen via a series of eight episodes created by Mara Brock Akil, the brain behind Hit events Girlfriends (starring Tracee Ellis Ross), The game (starring Tia Mowry), and Being Mary Jane (starring Gabrielle Union). ‘I can remember very clearly what I did on 12 [years old]Reading this book I didn’t have to read. It was in 1982, we were passing this book around [at school]”Akil says, through the press release. I always say, to this day, I think then broke my throat.”
Akil’s adjustment is a winner. And not by Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky, we saw the chemistry both visible, bad communications so great, and his statements “as”-and ultimately love-all worthy. And this time, the drivers are both black, and the two dark skin (rarity for Netflix), and both deal with everything that comes with being young, black, gifted and in love. This is a teenager romance as we haven’t seen, well, forever.
Located in Los Angeles in 2018, with police violence and the early stages of the Black Lives Matter movement very firmly part of his Zeitgeist, Everything Starts with Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper jr.) Unexpectedly reconnected to a New Year’s Eve party. It is something like love at first glance and the sparks fly immediately. He was masterfully played by Simone, Keisha is confident and determined. She is a runner with her eyes on a scholarship at Howard University. He knows what he wants and is willing to do almost anything to get it. Opposite it is Justin. A beautiful black young man who has the pressure of family expectations, heritage and adulthood in front of him. Cooper brings the character to life with an acute kindness and sensitivity that makes him a safe space – for Keisha (and, honestly, the spectators) – to fall in love.
What unfolds after their encounter is a dirty love story that includes exes, a sexual movie, a dance, a summer in the vineyard of Martha, the letters of acceptance of college, the family drama, the ratings and a great decision at the end of all: should Justin stay together?
Here, Simone and Cooper Jr. They talk about how they made the chemistry of their characters believer, why romance and vulnerability on screen issues and whether or not they believe in blocking someone you dating.
Unbothered: First of all, congratulations. I watched the whole series and I liked it. Mara talked about how influence Judy Blume’s novel was about her development. Did you both review the novel while preparing for the role?
MCJ: I did it. As soon as I heard that I got the role, I certainly bought the book and read it. He studied it. It’s a beautiful novel. And Mara’s beautiful adjustment really brought some of the shades of life in a newer form.
LS: I also read it during the listening process and that made me fall in love with even more. After I read it, it was really everything for me. I was like, “Okay, I really I have to get that! ” [Laughs.] I really love the characters and the story. It’s just a beautiful story coming.
It is very important to point out familiar moments with embarrassing teenagers and maybe not so hospitable teenagers because it is a reality.
Lovie Simone in ‘Forever’
It’s really. And I think you both did so well. I want to talk about the chemistry you have between your characters. For the public, it was so believable. What did you do outside the camera to build this chemistry?
LS: It was a little different because of where our characters came from in history – there was a great deal of intensity because [so much had happened in the time that passed] between them. Towards the beginning in episode 1, we didn’t talk too much. So there was great tension because we wanted to talk to each other.
MCJ: Absolutely. But, pre-brewing, when we did the hearing process, Michael and Lovie as us – We knew each other a little more. I finished [in] Each other’s rooms, going over the lines, eating Wendy’s, and things. It broke the ice in this way and we got to know each other.
Lovie: so [filming episode 1] It was like meeting again for the first time.
This is amazing. Talking about the tension, I was anxious because I am not excluded – it does not block people. Keisha and Justin blocked each other, left, right and focused on all platforms. I want to know if you, like Lovie and Michael, are excluded. Do you believe in any contact? What are your thoughts?
MCJ: This is a good question!
LS: I want to know what you have to say. [Laughs.]
MCJ: Let’s discuss it.
LS: Are you an exclusion?
MCJ: Look, I’m not excluded, but if it should block, it will block. Do you know what I mean?
LS: Yes.
MCJ: It will block.
Don’t try you. Don’t try you.
MCJ: Yes. Don’t try me. [Laughs.]
LS: Don’t try you. I’m not an exclusion! [Both laugh.]
MCJ: Never blocking?
LS: No, I’m like, “watch all this”.
MCJ: This is fair. This is fair.
LS: I’m like, “I had a good day today. You must see.” [Laughs.] Yes, but I don’t communicate. Blocked mentally.
I was nervous to enter Justin. It is so vulnerable and so emotional. I was like, ‘my kids will make fun of me for sure That’s why. ‘
Michael Cooper Jr. In playing Justin
I want to talk about the importance of broadcasts for teenagers. I think this was a great discussion recently, especially for young men and their ability to see healthy examples of media romance. You think you both think it’s important and how you feel like Everything Does it contribute?
MCJ: I think Mara is doing such a beautiful job and is really a proof of her writing. Initially he got the script, there was this line that really stayed with me. If I am going to be honest, I was nervous to enter Justin. It is so vulnerable and so emotional. I was like, “My kids will make fun of me for sure That’s why. “But there was this line that said he had a leg of trust and the other foot in insecurity. [character like] Justin on the screen before. It is important for young boys to really see someone who is able to communicate this way.
He was really vulnerable.
Ls: [Nodding.] Yes, yes.
MCJ: Yes, absolutely. People are beating us in a way that we usually suppress and suppress and suppress. Mara really had this idea to create this complete shape that is able to express it, and you see it throughout the story and in the relationship with Keisha. It’s important.
LS: I agree. I think it is very important to highlight familiar moments with embarrassing teenagers and maybe not so sexually advanced teenagers, because it is a reality that happens. I think you can explore this in the world of Keisha and Justin. It is cool to see people go through something for the first time and feel things for the first time and what it may seem. Because [Judy Blume’s] The book was a guide. Was a driver because there were all these first [that happened]. It is cool that the show could also be a guide to the first, especially in today’s age with technology and social media and all.
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