At the center of this powerful family drama is an essential portrait of a trans woman’s life.
Warning: This article contains spoilers from the filmMonica.
Monicais a beautiful depiction of the power and hard truths of family.
Trace Lysette in ‘Monica’.IFC Films/Everett
The indie family drama’s road to the big screen was a long one.
As for Clarkson, theSharp ObjectsandEasy Aactress jumped at the chance when she was cast in 2019.
“I had never seen such a beautiful story.”
Patricia Clarkson as Eugenia in ‘Monica’.IFC Films/Everett
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Monica and Eugenia’s dynamic is the center of this movie.
How did you go about establishing it?
TRACE LYSETTE: It was pretty instant for us.
IFC Films/Everett
She’s an amazing actress.
PATRICIA CLARKSON: Trace and I are similar in a way.
We don’t want to talk about a lot of things.
We don’t over prepare.
LYSETTE: I tried my best to tap into real-life stuff.
I knew that feeling well from different circumstances in my own life.
I understood what Monica’s journey was.
There was a lot at stake for her in terms of going back home and how vulnerable that was.
Early on there’s a powerful scene where Eugenia is crying out at night and Monica comforts her.
Can you talk about that moment?
CLARKSON: We have a couple of moments before that where we start to connect in odd ways.
I remember it was a fraught and brutal scene, but Trace was so warm.
I just fell into her arms.
I was so thankful she was so present as she always is in every scene we ever did.
She held all my weight.
LYSETTE: What I remember about the day is [Patricia] really dug in and went there.
We did a few takes and they were really powerful.
I remember trying to cling to everything that was going on in the moment.
Mind you, prior to that Monica has her webcam scene with the trick.
It was complex, and I do remember people crying on set that day.
There are so many great moments that are really snapshots of the family’s life.
Do you have a favorite or one that stands out looking back?
LYSETTE: There are a couple.
Just seeing this trans body, literally her flesh, and also being maternal.
It was something I don’t think middle America gets to see.
It’s one of my favorite stills from the film.
I know I have moments left on this Earth and the simplicity of the hand on my shoulder.
I love that moment.
Can you talk me through your understanding of that scene?
CLARKSON: It’s such a beautiful scene because it is simple.
It’s about “your child is your child” and it’s about unconditional love.
I love my daughter.
I love her with every fiber of my being.
The scene is still very hard for me to talk about.
All I had to do was just let her know how much I love her.
LYSETTE: It was beautiful because it wasn’t some preachy moment.
It just feels real.
In the end, they don’t have an actual conversation about who Monica is.
What do you make of the ending?
That’s what this film does differently.
What did you take away from these roles and working on this film?
LYSETTE: It taught me patience.
I already had a certain amount just being in this business.
Those two things are what get me up every single day.
This film is incredibly timely and it really is an honor to bring Monica to the world.
CLARKSON: I feel privileged to know Trace and her journey.
Monicais now playing in theaters.
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