INDIANAPOLIS — Not many people in the world can say they got to spray mace at or use a pen to puncture a comedy legend like Billy Crystal — but Rosie Perez and Jacobi Jupe can.
In "Before," Crystal stars as recently widowed child psychologist, who has a haunting connection to a troubled young boy named Noah (Jupe).
"It's really about trauma, grieving and dealing with your past," said Perez ("Do the Right Thing," "White Men Can't Jump").
As a child actor, Jupe ("Peter Pan & Wendy") is a star in the making with a very bright future ahead of him.
"I love to play, and acting isn't lying — it's being. You are the character," Jupe said. "I love Noah because he's crazy, and I love being crazy."
Apple TV+ is using the following tagline to promote the 10-episode limited series: "You've never seen Billy Crystal in a role like this" — and they're absolutely right.
"It was great. I always wanted to work with Billy Crystal. I wanted it to be a comedy, but I'll take this because it was an excellent piece of material," Perez said. "He was really great to work with because he knew that this was a heavy lift for me, that this was going to be a difficult journey for me, and it was. He was very, very supportive. He became a true friend."
How does a young boy prepare for a scene where his character has to stab the character played by someone like Crystal, who has won six Emmy Awards and a Tony Award?
"I love stabbing, especially with pens," Jupe joked. "Being dangerous with pens was my top thing for the series, I think. I feel like I need to be in movies where I'm dangerous with pens now. This is such a pleasure to get to do that sort of thing."
New episodes of "Before" are released Fridays through Dec. 20 on Apple TV+.