ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Sweet Dreams star Johnny Knoxville and writer and director Lije Sarki about the comedy-drama movie. The duo spoke about making comedy out of heavy subjects, working with Theo Von, and more. The movie is set to release in theaters on April 12, 2024 and digitally on April 16, 2024.
“Forced into rehab at Sweet Dreams recovery center, Morris (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life,” reads the movie’s synopsis. “But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run.”
Tyler Treese: Johnny, this is a lovely performance and what struck me about this was that there’s so much heart to it. While there are plenty of laughs throughout this film, you’re really giving this great portrayal of addiction, but most importantly, recovery and what all goes into that. What went into this portrayal that is a subject matter that hits so close to home for so many?
Johnny Knoxville: I’ve had many friends go through recovery, and my father was an alcoholic. There have been many times in my life where I [was] distracted too much with one thing or another. I’m a father of three, I have two young daughters, so I had a lot to draw from.
Lije, Jay Mohr has a role in this film. I saw him do stand-up recently and he looks completely different than we see him in the film. He was very open about losing weight and how great his recovery has gone, and obviously, it was a very personal subject matter for him as well. How was it working with him on this film?
Lije Sarki: Jay was awesome. He’s a pro. He showed up, and he really brought it home. I asked Johnny; he was watching those two together was some of my favorite stuff. Those guys really brought it and a lot of weight, but in between takes was really funny and fun. [Laughs]. They saw me almost get in a fight with somebody one day.
Knoxville: Oh God. Yeah. That was one of the producers, right?
Sarki: Yeah. We laugh about it. It was so good.
Knoxville: As you do on a film, sometimes you butt heads — everyone’s trying to achieve something and so they’re having an argument and I just got my phone in my pocket like this, following them around, recording it all.
But you know, Jay and I … I’ve known him for a long time. Back in ’94, ’95, we would go to this field off of Santa Monica Boulevard and play softball on Sundays and he would come. So even though he didn’t play softball with us in the film, that’s how I knew Jay — from playing softball with him. He’s a great guy.
And what did you say, he looks different now from he did in the movie?
Yeah, he lost a ton of weight.
Knoxville: Oh, really? Good for him.
Sarki: The other night when we were watching it together, he was like, “Holy s—, look at me.”
Knoxville: I know … but I’m so glad he lost it. That’s great. Good for you.
Johnny, this cast is just stacked, which is hilarious. People like Theo Von, Bobby Lee — how unique was this set? I imagine people were riffing constantly.
Knoxville: Constantly. I live in such a bubble. I don’t know who anyone is a lot of times. And I came on the set and Theo Von — I don’t know who anyone is, so he was hilarious all day long saying the most absurd, random things. I’m like, “Who is this guy? He’s so funny.” And now I know who he is. My son’s like, “Theo Von is the funniest guy on the planet.” It was great to work with him.
Lije, you wrote and directed Sweet Dreams, so obviously it’s a very personal project for you, but how was it balancing the humor and the serious nature of this film? Because I thought you did a really good job navigating it and finding that balance.
Sarki: For me it was all mainly just trying to make it feel real. Because all that stuff is really … it’s emotional and it’s funny all at the same time. Those situations are … there’s comedy at the darkness, you know? And those guys just did what was on the page, really. Me and my friends, we just make fun of each other even when this s—‘s hard … and that’s just how I don’t write jokes. I don’t know how to write jokes. Maybe I do, but I don’t think I’ve ever done it. [Laughs].
And it’s more about the absurdities of life, you know? That s—‘s funny, you know? That and how do you laugh? Keep it light? But even dealing with some serious subject matter. I think the tone just came across naturally, and everybody was doing it very real, you know? And that’s the only way that I know how, is to just try to make it feel real.
