Julianne Moore calls Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘The Debut’ script one of her best reads
Moore and Eisenberg presented their musical comedy as it closed the BFI London Film Festival, ahead of its reported Dec. 11 release.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Julianne Moore praised Jesse Eisenberg’s screenplay for The Debut as the musical comedy closed the BFI London Film Festival at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Oct. 18. Moore, who stars in the film, called it “one of the best scripts I’ve ever read in my entire life,” according to Variety.
Eisenberg wrote and directed the film, and joined Moore to introduce it at the festival’s closing gala. He said the story grew from his own years in community theater, which he began at age 7, and that he pictured Moore while writing the role.
“The Debut” is a personal project for Eisenberg, who said he had spent two years watching and editing Moore’s performance. Moore returned the compliment, calling the role an “incredible gift” and praising Eisenberg as a writer and director, Variety reported.
What is Julianne Moore’s ‘The Debut’ about?
Moore plays Mona Friedman, a shy New Jersey housewife who auditions for a local theater’s fictional musical, Nosy Neighbors. After landing the supporting part of Miss Danielle, Mona becomes increasingly absorbed in the production and in its director, Jerry Blankenbuehler, played by Paul Giamatti.
The cast also includes Eisenberg, Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan and Bonnie Milligan. Bernadette Peters, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy and Havana Rose Liu also appear, according to Variety.
Giamatti missed the U.K. premiere. Eisenberg told the audience that the actor had COVID-19 and said he wished Giamatti could have attended.
The film had previously premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, Variety reported. The Hollywood Reporter described the London screening audience as responding with laughter and applause.
A24 is scheduled to release The Debut in theaters on Dec. 11, according to Variety.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.