INDIANAPOLIS — In the 1990s and 2000s, filmmakers Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer created some of the most iconic romantic comedies, including "Father of the Bride," "The Parent Trap," "The Holiday" and "It's Complicated."
Now, they're daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, is releasing her second film, which she directed and wrote.
"Goodrich" follows a man (Michael Keaton) who reconnects with the daughter (Mila Kunis) from his first marriage after his wife and mother of their 9-year-old twins abruptly enters a 90-day rehab program.
"They're both so comedic and wonderful at drama. They were able to weave in and out of the comedy and drama so easily," Meyers-Shyer said of working with Oscar nominee Keaton ("Birdman," "Beetlejuice") and Golden Globe nominee Kunis ("Black Swan," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"). "It was just so fun to watch them on screen together. They're so dynamic."
Meyers-Shyer's first film, "Home Again," starring Reese Witherspoon, was a romantic comedy, following in the footsteps of her parents' go-to genre. Now, she has taken romance out of the equation for her sophomore outing.
"In some ways, it feels like a romantic comedy, but there's not really any romance in it. It's more of a complicated father-daughter story," Meyers-Sheyer said. "Parent-child relationships have a lot of built-in comedy and drama, so it was easy to find the tone. We took it from the honesty of the story we were telling."
And with filmmakers for parents like Meyers and Shyer, there's no shortage of helpful tips from their decades of experience.
"My life has been so much of advice-giving on their part. The biggest thing they always impart on me is to go with your gut, stick with your instincts," Meyers-Shyer said.
"Goodrich" is now in theaters nationwide.