Director Reacts to Vance’s Reception
Ron Howard, the man behind “Hillbilly Elegy,” opened up about how he didn’t quite expect JD Vance’s views to stir up so much debate. The film dives into Vance’s challenging childhood, his time at Yale, and his roots in Appalachia, but it seems like the aftermath has turned out to be a lot more heated than he guessed.
During an interview with Vulture that was published this Wednesday, titled “‘You’re Only As Good As Your Last Film’,” Howard reflected on various experiences throughout his storied career, revealing his bewilderment over Vance’s public persona.
He even shared the last text message he sent to Vance. Inquired by Bilge Ebiri, a film critic for Vulture, about their previous connections during the film’s promotion, he stated:
VANCE’S STRONG OPINIONS ON EDUCATION
“I was caught off guard,” noted Howard. “I didn’t see it coming that his rhetoric would trigger such polarization among audiences. Although, I must admit, I don’t track everything he says.”
A Quick Text
Howard noted that he reached out to Vance after the elections with a short message: “Godspeed. Try to serve us well,” indicating a level of support.
Released in 2020, “Hillbilly Elegy” adapts Vance’s autobiography, which was published back in 2016.
While discussing the film’s legacy, Howard acknowledged its controversial reception: “It seems to spark mixed feelings and quite a divide culturally. I’ve noticed poor reviews, but the audience engagement wasn’t too shabby,” he explained.
Vance’s Frustration
According to Howard, Vance himself felt let down by how the movie was received. When Ebiri asked him about Vance’s reaction to critical reviews, Howard confirmed, saying, “Absolutely, he was taken aback. Even though he praised Glenn Close and Amy Adams for their roles, he was upset that bad reviews might unfairly overshadow his contribution, and he really didn’t appreciate that.”
Original article source:‘Hillbilly Elegy’ director Ron Howard did not expect JD Vance to be so ‘divisive,’ reveals last text to VP
