Geraldine Viswanathan & Dacre Montgomery Interview: Broken Hearts Gallery

The Broken Hearts Gallery is the latest film to choose the theatrical release route in uncertain times, opening on September 11 across the United States. It’s a fitting choice for a romantic comedy about a woman picking herself up again after heartbreak.

Geraldine Viswanathan plays the heroine Lucy, who moves on from her latest breakup – and from all the failed relationships that came before – with the help of a gallery opening and the support of the handsome Nick, played by Dacre Montgomery.

The co-stars spoke to Screen Rant about how they built their chemistry and what the collaborative process was like with screenwriter and first-time director, Nataly Krinsky.

This movie shines because of your connection on screen. It seems so genuine. What did you guys share in common offscreen that translated onscreen efficiently?

Dacre Montgomery: I feel like we’ve been talking a lot about the Australian cultural identity, being from the same part of the world and shooting overseas in Toronto and New York. And I think that holds you in good stead, because you kind of have an in-built similarity, I think. And that was really helpful.

Lucy goes through these different transformations throughout the film. How do you approach the character through the different stages?

Geraldine Viswanathan: I don’t know, it’s just so Lucy’s story and journey. I think she starts out from a place of heartbreak and rock bottom and then finds a way to turn her pain into art, which is the best thing to do with pain. And ends up really finding her strength and independence, and Nick also happens to be there.

What did you both want to bring to Nick and Lucy that may have not been on the page?

Dacre Montgomery: I think Nick’s support of Lucy was a big thing that Natalie spoke to me about. How just having a man in her life – this being Natalie – support her meant so much. And what I mean by support is in her career, specifically, was something she spoke to me about. So, I think that my biggest endeavor was to bring that, not just through my lines and my actions, but through my energy to Nick for Lucy in the film.

This is Natalie’s first time directing, but she’s done a ton of writing. Can you talk to me about the collaboration of working with her?

Geraldine Viswanathan: Oh my gosh, she emboldened us so much and really encouraged us to bring our own ideas. And I think it became such a collaboration, and it was just fair game; best idea wins, best joke wins. There was no ego, we were just all trying to make something great. She cast a lot of people who have comedic backgrounds and love improv, so there was a lot of improvising. We were rewriting scenes on the day, and it was so malleable and adjustable.

I think it’s really important in comedies to be like that, because that spontaneity and freshness really, really translates and pops on screen. It was one of the most creatively fulfilling projects I’ve done, because we were all such a part of it.

Dacre, I’m representing the Red Ranger – the tyrannosaurus up there. He’s played a superhero in the past as Jason the Red Ranger, and a lot of fans have wanted to see you play Miss Marvel, Geraldine. What do you think of that?

Geraldine Viswanathan: Oh God, it’s so flattering. And she’s my favorite superhero by far, so it’s really cool. But I have low expectations; whatever will be will be. They’ll find the perfect Miss Marvel, and I’m really excited to see it.