Writer/director Jared Bentley talks about his action-packed new film Intensive Care, a throwback to ‘80s and ‘90s action films like Lethal Weapon and Under Siege. The film, now available from Screen Media, stars seasoned stuntwoman Tara Macken.
Congrats on the movie! It’s a unique film but I assume you were influenced by some other films along the way? Le Femme Nikita, for instance?
I definitely really enjoyed that film and remember thinking I had never seen anything like it. I think films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Naked Gun, Pulp Fiction and Dr. Strangelove had big influences on me. All are very fun movies, that at times, deal with some very dark things. I think if there’s one thing that is consistent with my body of work, it is that I always combine darkness with fun.
READ MORE: Our full review of Jared Bentley‘s Intensive Care
The film is striking. Can you tell us about some of the locations you shot in?
The main house is in Ojai, CA. I found it on Airbnb of all things. The owner was actually very excited that someone wanted to make a film in his house, as he is an architect, and he designed it. The barn and the bar scenes took place in Julian, CA. We purposefully wanted to get out of LA, so the film had its own distinct look, and also to have more autonomy in making it. The closer you are to LA, the more rules you have to follow.
How different a project do you think this would have been if it were filmed 20 years ago?
I don’t think it would be much different because – as many reviewers have rightfully pointed out – this film is a throwback to 80s and 90s action movies that relied more on inventive writing, and practical effects, than on CGI and spectacle. My partners and I grew up on Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and Under Siege, so it’s only natural that Intensive Care draws inspiration from those films.
How important is sound to you? It packs a real punch here.
Thanks. In action and horror, sound design is like another character in the film. You can ruin a movie if it’s not done well. Myself and a lot of the people that worked on this film, all grew up together in Santa Clarita. This includes our sound mixer, Ryan Davis, who brought his years of experience working for Warner Bros. to the table.
How hard is it to ground a film like this, one that focuses on action and thrills? Is it all about ‘fun’ or do you have to mold the film in realism, too?
I wasn’t as concerned with realism, as I was with possibility and having an internal logic to justify the action. Is it realistic that Alex would take a bath after just narrowly escaping from the home invaders? No. But the internal logic is that she is undergoing a rebirth, back into the life that she thought she had escaped. I wanted something that would visually represent her character’s internal experience. Plus, it’s just a kickass shot of her in that tub full of blood, so there’s that too.
We bend the limits of realism a lot, but the film is such a fun ride, that people go with it. If all movies mirror real life…they’d be pretty boring. But the trick is to push those boundaries without going too far and disrespecting the intelligence of the audience.
Where did Tara Macken come from? What’s her background?
We were having a very difficult time casting the role of Alex. We saw a lot of talented actresses and stunt performers but none of them were the complete package: sexy, with comedic timing, acting chops, and the ability to do all of their own stunts and fights. Kevin Sizemore, who plays Seth in the film, and is also a producer on the project, knew of her from a mutual acquaintance and sent me her stunt reel. I said, “Yes! Exactly! But can she act?” We brought her in to read and after a minute it was clear that she was our Alex.
Did the cast do their own stunts?
Yes. That was something non-negotiable for us. From a logistical standpoint, we didn’t have time to duplicate our setups to accommodate stunt doubles. From a creative standpoint, I didn’t want to have to shoot everything in such a way that was designed to mask the doubles. Tara is a highly trained and accomplished Stunt performer, so it was natural for her. The other actors weren’t as experienced but they all were game to do everything that we asked of them. It helped that we had a fantastic fight choreographer in Mark Parra, and all of the actors participated in numerous fight rehearsals so that when the filming came, it was all second nature to them.
Is this a genre you plan to stick with for a while or is the next thing radically different?
I don’t there is one genre that necessarily suits me over another. I bring the same kind of dark fun to everything that I do. That can work in action, horror, and comedy. My partners and I just finished a screenplay called The Conductor, which is like a Sci Fi Silence of the Lambs. So I’m excited to see what we can make of that.