Julianne Moore Says ‘The Debut’ Is ‘One of the Best Scripts I’ve Ever Read’ as Jesse Eisenberg’s Musical Comedy Closes London Film Festival on a High Note
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
At the London Film Festival’s closing event, Julianne Moore called Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” one of the best scripts she had ever read, while Eisenberg praised her performance. The warm reception and rave reviews from its Telluride premiere have added to early awards interest around Moore’s role.
Eisenberg wrote and directed the musical comedy, drawing on his childhood experience in community theatre. Moore plays Mona Friedman, a New Jersey housewife whose life is unsettled after she is cast in a local show; Paul Giamatti plays its director but missed the UK premiere because he had COVID-19. The film also stars Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan and Bonnie Milligan, and is due in cinemas on 11 December via A24.
- Moore praised “The Debut” as one of the best scripts she has read.
- The film closed the London Film Festival to laughter and applause.
- A24 plans a cinema release on 11 December.
New here? Start with this
Jesse Eisenberg is an American actor and filmmaker who has also written and directed films. His musical comedy draws on his childhood experience of community theatre, where local performers put on productions outside the professional stage world.
The story follows Mona Friedman, a New Jersey housewife played by Julianne Moore, as she becomes involved in a local musical and her life begins to shift. Paul Giamatti plays the production’s director, alongside Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan and Bonnie Milligan.
The film brings together established screen actors and musical performers in a story about taking part in a community production. It is due to reach cinemas through A24, an independent film company.