In the new movie, art imitates the lives of Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis.
Keaton stars in “Goodrich,” which opens Oct. 18, in which he plays a workaholic father who tries to raise his young children alone while hoping to connect with his pregnant eldest daughter, played by Kunis. play.
The film is about the lost moments of life at the expense of focusing on one’s passion.
“I would say that’s the core story of this movie,” Keaton said in a joint interview with Kunis that aired during the third hour of “Today” on Oct. 18.
Michael Keaton (left) and Mila Kunis (right) explore the bond between parent and child in their new movie “Goodrich.” Chris Pizzello/AP
He also said he saw firsthand how Kunis juggled her career and motherhood while making the film.
“In our case, I don’t want to speak for her, but I can speak for her,” he said. “That doesn’t work for us. I’ve watched her become a mother, and when we’re at work, she says, ‘Wait a minute.’ And then there’s 1st and 2nd place. At the end of the day, we are similar in that we have to put family first. ”
Keaton is the father of a son, Sean, born in 1983 with his late ex-wife, Caroline McWilliams. Kunis has two children, Wyatt, 10, and Dimitri, 7, with her husband Ashton Kutcher. She says it’s difficult to have a satisfying job and a healthy family life.
“This concept of balance, I’m not going to comment on it, I don’t know if it exists, but in any version of life, you’re doing the best you can with what you have. “I think I’ll do my best,” she said.
Mila Kunis (left) and Michael Keaton (right) attend the Los Angeles premiere of “Goodrich” on October 8, 2024. Jordan Strauss/AP
“I love my job, yes, but I love my children more. There’s no comparison. But I’m in a luxurious environment where I can balance both financially. I don’t think that’s ever lost on my husband or me,” she added.
“Goodrich” also explores how your relationship with your parents changes after you have children.
“I mean, I know my parents love me, but as much as I love my kids, to think they love me that much makes me think, ‘That can’t be true.’ Then my mother said, “But that’s true.” That idea is so far-fetched to me,” Kunis said.
Keaton says he definitely brought his own experiences as a parent into the film.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s hard not to do that. It’s impossible not to do that,” he said.
(Left to right) “Good Lie” stars Mila Kunis, Michael Keaton, Jacob Kopela, Vivian Laila Blair, and Kevin Pollack join writer-director Harry Meyers Scheyer in October 2024 Arrived at the premiere in Los Angeles on April 8th. Jordan Strauss/AP
Of course, Keaton is no stranger to playing parents, and one of his earliest roles remains one of his most beloved. He is best known for his memorable role as a father in the 1983 comedy Mr. Martin. In “Mama,” he played a father who takes time off from work to raise a child while his wife returns to work. He said “Goodrich” mirrors that classic film.
“(It) was way ahead of its time, and men love that movie,” he said.
Keaton is known for playing a wide range of characters throughout his career, from Beetlejuice to Batman, but says “Goodrich” is closer to his true self.
“Frankly, this isn’t that far off for me. And I thought, ‘Oh, that would be fun.’ Just play my version for a while. I don’t mind doing that,” he said.
