A feel-good dramedy with a twist on the coming of age story, ‘CODA’ is familiar but effective
How to be a Latin Lover follows the story of Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) a vivacious trophy husband who has the rug pulled out from under him when his eighty-year-old meal ticket kicks him out of his mansion and accustomed lifestyle.
Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) lives with a rare, incurable disorder that leaves her unable to digest food. Despite the dire diagnosis, devoted mom Christy (Jennifer Garner) relentlessly searches for a way to save her beloved daughter. Everything changes in an instant when Anna tells an amazing story of a visit to heaven after surviving a headlong tumble into a tree. Her family and doctors become even more baffled when the young girl begins to show signs of recovering from her fatal condition.
Our reporter Chasity Saunders sat down with stars Martin Henderson and Eugenio Derbez exclusively to discuss their new film Miracles From Heaven out Wednesday, March 16.
Martin Henderson
In the film, you get the chance to play Kevin Beam, whose character is the backbone of this family, what was it about his character that made you sign on and say yes to doing this project?
He’s an example of a man who has the kind of qualities that I hope that I can bring to my family if I’m fortunate enough to have one one day. Family is tough, and the statistics show you how tough it is, and particularly if a family is ever faced with the adversity this family finds themselves in in this movie. The statistics are that the families don’t make it, they fall apart. The fact that they didn’t is a testament to that backbone and support that he offered, the wavering sense of commitment that he was able to give to his family. It’s unfortunate that it’s kind of rare so be asked to play that, and I know that Patricia had a slew of actors that could play this role, is a privilege and an honor and a responsibility to the real life Kevin, who’s obviously a great guy.
I brought Sammy (my dog), he goes everywhere with me. It’s actually the second thing. I did a TV show and he was in that as well.
How does it feel to be a part of Grey’s Anatomy?
A privilege, really. I like it, being an actor in show that’s on Broadway and the house is packed and you come on in the third act and you know people are loving it, so there’s a pressure, you have to fit in and deliver but it’s so nice and so rare these days where there’s already an audience. It’s nice to go to work where the people are so passionate about the show for better or worse, because I’m the new guy, but I love it too.
Future career?
See where it goes. I have an interest in directing, I’m doing a short movie and I wanna move into that, I love the filmmaking process, but certainly more stuff in acting. I’m very happy being on Grey’s Anatomy and plan on being there for a while.
Eugenio Derbez
What attracted you to this role?
As a Latino, this is one of those few times that I can portray a character that is a not a drop out, criminal, or alcoholic, or something like that, and it was very interesting to me to find out that this doctor is a real person that he assists, and that he was born in Mexico and working at the Boston Children’s Hospital, and he’s probably the number one in his field so it’s very inspiring.
Speak about being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
It means everything to me. Who hasn’t dreamed of having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, everyone has. I swear that I would have never imagined that was going to happen to me, but it’s happening next Thursday so I can happily die the next day.
Future career?
I have been doing my entire career in Latin America and Mexico, I just moved here a year and half ago. Mexico is another culture and language, it’s difficult to portray and act in another language but I’m getting better. It’s hard. My last movie changed my life and now I’m moving here and starting my career so it’s weird for me, some part of population I’m well known and for the other not, so it’s funny.