BԪַ

Skip to content

BԪַThis Is UsBԪַ star Chrissy Metz finds her film BԪַBreakthroughBԪַ

Three years ago Chrissy Metz was perhaps the least-known of the seven original BԪַThis Is UsBԪַ leads
16488005_web1_CAET473-45_2019_072119
In this April 4, 2019 file photo, Chrissy Metz poses for a portrait in promotion of her new film BԪַBreakthroughBԪַ at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. While the actress scored a few minor movie roles before finding fame on TV BԪַThis is Us.BԪַ BԪַBreakthroughBԪַ which opened in theaters Wednesday, April 17, marks Metz feature-starring debut. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP, File)

Chrissy Metz says she believed in miracles well before getting the call to meet producer DeVon Franklin to discuss taking the lead in director Roxann DawsonBԪַs just-released faith-based drama BԪַBreakthrough.BԪַ

Metz was already familiar with the filmBԪַs story of Joyce Smith, whose son, John, fell through ice on a lake in January 2015 and was drowning for 15 minutes before paramedics even started resuscitation efforts. By the time the boy was in the emergency room, he had gone so long without a pulse that doctors were ready to call time of death.

READ MORE:

But Smith wouldnBԪַt accept it. She was given permission to pray at her sonBԪַs feet as a last attempt at CPR was performed BԪַ and, much to everyoneBԪַs surprise, JohnBԪַs pulse returned. And, eventually, he fully recovered from the accident.

Metz recalled her first meeting about the film adaptation with producer Franklin and executives from distributor 20th Century Fox. BԪַI thought we were just generally meeting, and then I ended up sharing the story of my motherBԪַs medical emergency.BԪַ

In 2017, MetzBԪַs mother, Denise, suffered a massive stroke, and even in front of her mother, doctors were openly pessimistic about a return to quality life.

Metz recalled her fury. BԪַI told those doctors, BԪַYou might think you know my mom, but you donBԪַt know my mom. And you donBԪַt know what sheBԪַs capable of BԪַ So, if you donBԪַt have anything nice or positive to say, you need to actually leave my motherBԪַs room,BԪַBԪַ she said. BԪַAnd then, of course, we come to find out that Joyce said those things to JohnBԪַs doctors.BԪַ

MetzBԪַs mom is home, walking, making what Metz called BԪַa strong recoveryBԪַ BԪַ and provided inspiration for her daughterBԪַs portrayal of Joyce.

BԪַTo play, wholeheartedly, a woman who believes in miracles, you have to believe in miracles to some degree, I think,BԪַ explained Metz, who didnBԪַt connect with the real-life Smith until two weeks into filming.

BԪַI felt like I already knew her,BԪַ Metz noted. BԪַI watched her on TV. I read her book, BԪַThe Impossible.BԪַBԪַ But making the one-on-one contact did inform her performance. BԪַMeeting her, you canBԪַt help but realize she has been through hell and back, and is better for it.BԪַ

Three years ago, the 38-year-old Metz was perhaps the least-known of the seven original BԪַThis Is UsBԪַ leads. And while each in the cast has landed extracurricular gigs since the acclaimed and popular seriesBԪַ 2016 debut, Metz is the first to be top-billed in a major studio theatrical release.

BԪַItBԪַs mind-blowing to know that when I first stepped foot on BԪַThis Is Us,BԪַ I felt like the inadequate, doesnBԪַt have a resume, can I do this girl?BԪַ Metz said. BԪַI learned so much from the cast collectively,BԪַ she continued, crediting her BԪַThis Is UsBԪַ co-stars for teaching her what it took to head up the BԪַBreakthroughBԪַ cast.

Metz said movie scripts BԪַarenBԪַt pouring in,BԪַ but theyBԪַre coming, and the big issue is whether the movie is the right thing at the right time.

She said she connected with her BԪַBreakthroughBԪַ character and the filmBԪַs message of hope, as well as the producersBԪַ eagerness to let her pursue another passion: singing. Metz performs the new Diane Warren song, BԪַIBԪַm Standing With You,BԪַ over the filmBԪַs end titles.

BԪַFor me, itBԪַs important for a movie to change me or change someone else,BԪַ Metz said.

Mike Cidoni Lennox, The Associated Press

Like us on and follow us on Twitter





(or

BԪַ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }