Dubliner John Carney, acclaimed for directing musical movies such as Once and Sing Street, is making a comeback with his latest film, Flora And Son. This Apple TV+ release features Eve Hewson in the role of Flora, a single mother encouraged by the police to find a hobby for her rebellious teenage son, Max, played by Oren Kinlan. To help them on their journey, they enlist the support of Los Angeles musician Jeff, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film explores the poignant bond between a mother and son as they strive to find harmony.
Carney recalls his first encounter with Hewson when she was just 15 years old, along with her parents, Bono and Ali Hewson. He was immediately drawn to her refined appearance, having seen her profile in a Victorian dress. Carney decided to connect with her over Zoom. During the conversation, both Eve and Joe expressed their belief that they were the perfect fit for the movie. Carney shares, “They were telling me, ‘Can’t you see that I’m the right person for this? It’s so obvious’.” Carney eventually realized that Hewson was indeed the ideal choice for the role. As a Dubliner, she possessed the necessary understanding of what it feels like to be trapped in the city, with its unique blend of love and hate. Carney describes her portrayal as having a “saltiness” that was essential for the character. In the end, he was convinced that no one else in Dublin could have brought the character to life like Eve did.
Carney also praises Hewson’s acting skills, referring to her as a “rock star” despite her not identifying as a singer or guitar player. Her approach to acting, likened to that of a pop singer, adds a fascinating dynamic to her performances. Carney reveals that she would often arrive on set with a certain vibe, displaying a willingness to try anything like a jamming rock star. However, with regards to singing certain lines in the film, Hewson would express her reservations. Carney recalls their humorous exchanges, stating, “‘Eve, I’ve given you five lines. What do you f***ing want to sing?’ And she’d be like, ‘I’ll sing this’.” Her creativity and willingness to collaborate led to her co-writing lyrics for the film. Carney was so impressed with Hewson’s comedic timing, appearance, acting ability, and newfound lyric-writing skills that he even sent a text to her rock star father, Bono, praising her accomplishments.
Carney shares that the choice to cast Oren Kinlan as Hewson’s on-screen son was an easy decision. Having seen his self-tape and noting his father’s success as an Irish actor, Love/Hate star Laurence Kinlan, Carney observed a natural stillness in Oren’s performance, guided by his father’s advice. Carney’s confidence in the casting solidified, leading him to reach out to one of the film’s producers and declare, “I think we can make this movie now.”
Flora And Son premiered in select cinemas on September 22 before its global release in theaters and on Apple TV+ on Friday.
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