Any real Pittsburgher can attest to the beauty and the beast of winters in Pittsburgh. One film captures the things we love the most about the wintery warmth of the Steel City. “Love the Coopers”, which was filmed in Pittsburgh last year, is about a family’s chaotic journey to enjoy Christmas Eve together.
It wasn’t the typical Pittsburgh elements like icy bridges, construction, and unnecessary traffic approaching the Squirrel Hill tunnels that kept this family divided during the holidays. It was pain, hurt, jealousy, pride, and loneliness that made Christmas Eve dinner intolerable.
Last week, I sat down with Director Jessie Nelson. She’s most notably known for the creations of “Corrina, Corrina” (1994) — one of my favorite childhood movies– and “I Am Sam (2001).
Nelson expressed that when she first got to Pittsburgh for filming she “fell in love with it.”
“Pittsburgh embraces the holidays.”
From Light Up Night to Pamela’s Diner, even to the dense, despair of Century III Mall, “Love the Coopers” has all the things you notice and love about Pittsburgh. This film is intimately familiar to a natives like myself. While some might contest, the winter season is Pittsburgh’s most attractive feature.
Not to mention, there’s a special homage to the frustrations of the Pittsburgh International Airport.
This star-studded cast includes Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, Ed Helms, Marisa Tomei and Anthony Mackie. Keaton stars as Charlotte, an unbearable housewife facing divorce after 40 years of marriage.
The Coopers are primarily made up of Sam the lonely husband (Goodman), Emma the catty baby sister, (Tomei), Bucky the grumpy yet rational elder (Arkin), Hank the employed (Helms), and his sister, Eleanor the single one (Wilde).
Nelson called the cast “an enormously talented group”, who were “incredibly collaborative.” She was glad that she was able to get Diane Keaton and John Goodman on the big screen together for the first time. “Diane always wanted to work with John.”
Even through the most serious scenes, “Love the Coopers” is super witty. “The Hangover” star Ed Helms and Marisa Tomei causes an expected amount of laughter. But, is it Alan Arkin, the 89-year-old vet, who has the sharpest sarcasm of them all.
He’s so serious yet so funny.
If there’s one thing you take away from “Love the Coopers”, Nelson hopes it’s joy. “It’s a hard time in the world right now,” said Nelson. “I hope to bring joy into the world.”
Nelson wrote the Broadway musical adaptation of the movie “Waitress”, which is set to debut in spring 2016. This is Nelson’s first time on Broadway.
2.5 Stars
‘Love the Coopers’ captures essence of Pittsburgh’s winter wonderland
