As UCLA undergraduates, directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris got their first gig together working on a short promotional video for the university’s Center for the Art of Performance.
Little did they know that a few years down the line, they would work together to direct Grammy-nominated music videos, documentaries and the critically acclaimed “Little Miss Sunshine” as fellow Bruins and then as husband and wife. Their successful collaborations and marriage highlight an understanding for romantic relationships that has influenced their approach to various projects.
Since their 2006 directorial debut, UCLA alumni Dayton and Faris have added another project to their impressive repertoire of work: their new movie “Ruby Sparks,” a modern twist on the Pygmalion myth.
The legendary Greek myth tells how a sculptor, Pygmalion, becomes completely entranced by the fair looks and sheer perfection of Galatea, the woman he had carved from stone. After Aphrodite, the goddess of love, gives life to his ivory muse, Pygmalion is able to wed his perfect woman.
Dayton and Faris place this tale in 21st century Los Angeles while transforming the protagonist into a struggling writer who dreams up the perfect woman in his novel. Although instead of living happily ever after when his fictional obsession, Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan), comes to life, novelist Calvin Weir-Fields (Paul Dano) finds himself strangely unable to love the woman he had created.
The new film examines the complexities of power and love in relationships through the intricate plot line as well as the involvement of its cast who have had their own trials and tribulations with love. Incidentally (but maybe not), Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan have been dating for four years while Dayton and Faris have been married for 24.
“One thing that appealed to all of us was the couple telling a story about a relationship with another couple in the lead role,” said producer Albert Berger, who had worked with Dayton and Faris on “Little Miss Sunshine.”
Ron Yerxa, another producer of “Ruby Sparks” who had worked with the same directing team in their first film, said the environment on set when Dayton and Faris are around is devoid of chaos or any sense of crisis. Dayton and Faris exude a no-nonsense approach that is rare among Hollywood directors, while their ability to collaborate successfully is an extraordinary testimony to how a relationship can break absolute standards, Yerxa said.
Naturally, the chemistry and dynamic that exists between them have come to influence how the actors developed the story within “Ruby Sparks” through their role as directors.
“I think in some ways it’s more interesting (to observe couples) from the outside,” Faris said. “(Jon and I are) very interested in relationships and that’s at the center of our lives because it’s our personal life and our professional life.”
Although working together in a seamless fashion is almost second nature to Dayton and Faris, the main characters within the movie face the struggle of finding this fine balance.
“Calvin (has a) kind of emotional rigidity (where) he can’t even accept the woman he created out of his own desires,” said Yerxa. “(It’s a) given that couples are sensitive to each other’s nuances (and it’s hard) to embrace them without trying to have power over one another but to have an open discussion of what’s worthwhile and how to do things. Being directors is having a big resonance (with this).”
Faris said they are always interested in exploring the message illuminated behind each story and the potential discussions that can be drawn from the movie. With the case of “Ruby Sparks,” they journeyed to unravel discoveries about the pitfalls of absolute control in any partnership.
“This film really talks about how there is this sweet spot where you give in to this relationship. It’s not like you’re not involved in controlling it, but you don’t single-handedly hold all the power,” Dayton said. “Part of the pleasure of a relationship is giving into it and being surprised by it. … Even though Val and I (have) known each other since college, she still surprises me.”