NEW YORK – “Save the Last Dance” was released on January 12, 2001. Almost 24 years later, the film’s star, Julia Stiles, is back in theaters, albeit in a different form. Stiles is making his directorial debut with Wish You Were Here, an adaptation of Renee Carlino’s novel.
“I had a visceral response to this book,” Stiles, 42, told USA TODAY. “I literally laughed out loud. I cried by the end. The first thing that grabbed me was that this love story felt like the main characters were much more mature than their age.” I think so.”
The film tells the story of Charlotte (Isabel Fuhrman), a 20-something waitress who experiences a whirlwind romance with Adam (Mena Massoud). When Charlotte learns that Adam is terminally ill, she finds a new purpose in life.
“These are really cynical and scary times,” Stiles said. “We need movies that are hopeful and that depict what it’s like to be human.”
The film’s origins date back five years, when film producer Gabby Kono-Abdi (who plays Charlotte’s best friend Helen) slipped the book title and movie blurb into Stiles’ direct message on Instagram. Kono-Abdi ultimately took a more formal route and sent the idea to Styles’ agent. Production was delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood strike. Filming took place in New Jersey and Florida, with Styles “running completely on adrenaline and fumes.” Weekdays were 12-hour shifts, and weekends included location scouting and blocking.
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Twenty-four years after launching his career with “Save the Last Dance,” Styles’ career has come full circle.
“At that age, I never thought I would be able to direct my own movie,” she says of her 19-year-old self, and reflects on the advice she would give to others. “Enjoy it. I think there’s so much internal pressure that you put on yourself and external pressure from things. Sometimes it can take the joy out of the experience, so just enjoy it.”
Styles isn’t the only director making his film debut.
In addition to making Styles’ directorial debut, the film features music by singer Vanessa Carlton and her husband, Deer Tick frontman John McCauley. This is the first time for a music duo.
“We became friends until we were in our 20s,” Styles said of Carlton, noting that they had known each other since high school in New York City. “She had success with ‘A Thousand Miles,’ and I brought out ‘Save the Last Dance’ and ’10 Things I Hate About You.’ We absolutely bonded over that. “What’s going on in our lives right now?”
“We’ve remained friends through different walks of life,” said Stiles, who has three children with her husband, Preston J. Now, we both have families.” “She had always wanted to compose music for movies, and their music brought the movies to life.”