Author Joyce Maynard talks ‘Labor Day’

Author Joyce Maynard recently spoke with “Breakthrough Entertainment” about the new romantic drama based on her book “Labor Day.”

In “Labor Day,” which opens Friday, Jan. 31, Kate Winslet plays a depressed single mom who offers a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, she gradually learns his true story and her options become increasingly limited.

Listen to “Breakthrough Entertainment’s” full interview with Maynard by clicking HERE. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which the author discusses what she hopes viewers take away from the pie scene in “Labor Day” as well as the movie as a whole.

Frank (Josh Brolin) is hiding out in a Adele’s (Kate Winslet) house over the course of a long, hot Labor Day weekend and a crucial moment in the story occurs when a neighbor stops by with some overripe peaches. Adele is just about to throw them out when Frank says, ‘I have a better idea,’ and proceeds to make a pie. It has been compared to the potter’s wheel scene in ‘Ghost.’ It is the sexiest pie scene – possibly the sexiest baking scene ever in my opinion. And it is really the moment when we see Frank, Adele and the boy Henry bonding with each other in a very moving way.

There are lots of different ways for people to experience sexual chemistry and heat and only some of them occur in bed with their clothes off. I wanted to show two people with big, powerful emotions for each other in a different way than we normally see them. So, nobody takes off their aprons but you certainly feel the heat between those two. And I wanted to show the tenderness of this man. He is this big, tough-looking, scary-looking guy but he also makes a good pie, which, for me, there is nothing more moving than a man who is able to be tender and gentle as well. I wanted the audience to get to know him and you get to know a person when you see that person make a pie.

I hope people leave the movie hopeful – hopeful about love and hopeful about second chances. I don’t want to give away what happens. It’s not a fairytale but it is about two people with some miles on them and some big-time losses and heartbreaks who get a second chance. And I believe in those; you’re talking to somebody who just got married for the first time after 25 years last summer at the age of 59. So if you want a big full-on love story, you’ll get one from this movie. And I’d love it if they go home and read my book. Of course, as good as the movie is, the book is always the best.” – Joyce Maynard

Joseph J. Airdo

Joseph J. Airdo is a film critic, producer and on-air personality for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show airing 10-11 a.m. Saturdays on KPHX 1480 AM and BreakRadioShow.com that shines a spotlight on the practical perspectives of the topics and themes explored in movies. He has a pet duck named Frozen who is as opinionated about movies as he is. E-mail him at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

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