Thomasin McKenzie, a talented New Zealand actress known for her roles in 'Last Night in Soho' and 'Leave No Trace', discusses her portrayal of Jean Purdy in the new Netflix drama 'Joy'. She delves into Purdy's crucial yet overlooked contributions to IVF, shedding light on women's historical roles in science. The conversation also touches on the highly anticipated film adaptation of 'Wicked', exploring the complexities of its characters and the transition from stage to screen. McKenzie's insights offer a fresh perspective on significant narratives.
Thomasin McKenzie discusses portraying Jean Purdy in 'Joy', emphasizing the significance of recognizing often-overlooked contributions to medical history.
The documentary 'Blink' showcases a family's emotional journey to create lasting memories for their children facing vision loss.
The adaptation of 'Wicked' captivates audiences with themes of friendship and identity, underscoring the relevance of its story today.
Deep dives
The Power of Shopify for Merchandising
The discussion highlights the utility of Shopify as a comprehensive e-commerce platform for businesses looking to sell merchandise. By offering tools that streamline the process of selling online and in-person, Shopify enables users to expand their outreach effortlessly. This platform supports integration with social media markets, allowing sellers to capitalize on their presence on sites like Facebook and Instagram. The emphasis is on accessibility, with encouraging calls for businesses to explore Shopify's trial offer and bootstrap their merchandise sales.
Experiences with Blink-182 and Music History
Reflections on music history reveal amusing anecdotes about Blink-182 and other short songs that have risen to prominence. Mention is made of particularly brief tracks, such as one that lasts only 15 seconds, highlighting a unique moment in broadcasting history. The conversation touches on how the production of music in the past required meticulous planning and physical medium manipulation, contrasting it with modern methods. There’s appreciation for the nostalgia and impermanence found in both contemporary and historical music moments.
The Uplifting Documentary 'Blink'
The documentary 'Blink' focuses on a Canadian family grappling with the challenges of retinitis pigmentosa, a condition leading to vision loss. Parents Edith and Sebastian embark on a significant life-affirming journey, taking their children around the globe to create 'sight memories' before they lose their sight completely. This heartfelt bucket list adventure includes various activities—like riding camels and seeing the Northern Lights—that aim to enrich their children's lives. The film is presented as a moving narrative about resilience and familial love against the backdrop of adversity.
Personal Stories and the Impact of IVF
A listener shares a touching personal experience related to the film 'Joy,' which tells the story of Jean Purdy, a pioneer in the development of IVF. The discussion acknowledges how the film sheds light on the historical context of fertility treatments, emphasizing the importance of these advancements in the lives of many. The listener's emotional response is framed within the broader societal implications of women’s health and the relevance of these discussions today. This exemplifies the film's potential to resonate with viewers given the current climate surrounding women's rights and personal agency.
The Anticipation for 'Wicked'
The adaptation of the musical 'Wicked' brings excitement with a star-studded cast, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, showcasing a fresh take on the Wizard of Oz universe. The storyline explores the backstory of the witches from the beloved tale, highlighting themes of friendship, identity, and societal judgment. Critics express surprise at how engaging the film is, praising its visual design, musical performances, and narrative depth despite its lengthy run time. The anticipation for part two is palpable, as the film creates a captivating blend of humor, drama, and fantasy.
Thomasin McKenzie is this week’s guest—star of Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night in Soho’, Mark’s film of the year 2018 ‘Leave No Trace’—and now ‘Joy’, a new Netflix drama about the development of IVF treatment at Oldham hospital in the 1970s. Written by Jack Thorne, the film’s medical miracle story is focalised through McKenzie’s character Jean Purdy—a talented embryologist whose work was key to the team’s breakthrough discovery, but whose name was left out of the history books. She chats to Simon about putting Jean back in the picture in this latest in a line of meaty and challenging roles for the young actor.
Reviews this week of ‘Blink’, a poignant documentary following a family determined to travel the world and create precious visual memories for their three children, who are losing their sight—and Amrou Al-Kadhi's debut drag queen drama ‘Layla’, which follows the story of the titular performer (Bilal Hasna) as they discover their confidence and creativity whilst navigating their queer Arab identity. Plus the much-anticipated stage-to-screen musical ‘Wicked’. The Wizard of Oz prequel stars Cynthia Erivo as green-skinned misfit Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as glam girl Galinda, both still witches-to-be as they forge an unlikely and rocky friendship at university. We find out if Mark thinks it’s going to be ‘Pop-u-lar'...
Plus top quality correspondence from you and typical witterings from the Good Doctors as per.
Our Christmas Spectacular with Mark and Simon live onstage at London’s Prince Edward theatre is now sold out! Event info here: https://www.fane.co.uk/kermode-and-mayo
