The biggest misconception is that I only write about shitty people. Or that I'm trying to be shocking. I just think people are super weird, so I like to write characters that get addicted to things, lose their minds, hurt others, put themselves in bad situations. I'm just more interested in that.
Leslye HeadlandI challenged myself to write/direct a romantic comedy. People trash talk the rom com, but it's one of the oldest cinematic genres, with stellar origins like Twentieth Century and Trouble in Paradise. I think as audiences lost their innocence, the genre lost its suspense. To create suspense, you need obstacles, so I gave my couple an obstacle that very few people ever overcome: their own behavior and their past.
Leslye HeadlandWatching my own past heartache and experience day after day - it was gut-wrenching, cathartic, beautiful, and painful. That and shooting the film in less than a month.
Leslye HeadlandI can't be the only person that's like, "Why am I in love with this guy just because he makes me feel bad?" I can't be the only person in the world who's had that feeling.
Leslye HeadlandI want people to understand and recognize that when it comes to dating, you're not as crazy as you think you are. Everyone needs love. We need it like air or water. We just don't know how to get it.
Leslye HeadlandFor [people] to be like "So what it's like dealing with female characters who are completely disgusting?" I don't think they are - does that make me weird? I made a very intentional choice to not care about that stuff, and go like "I don't care about it, I'm just gonna tell my truth and see what happens."
Leslye Headland