Sigourney Weaver Interview: The Good House

Based on Ann Leary's 2013 novel of the same name, The Good House is a film that asks viewers to invest in a highly complicated protagonist who refuses to acknowledge her own failings. Sigourney Weaver brings Hildy Good, a real estate agent in the town of Wendover who would like everyone around her to believe her life is going perfectly well. Unfortunately, her business is flagging, her daughters think she has a drinking problem, and her husband left her when he finally came out of the closet.

While Hildy is juggling those many plates, she strikes up a friendship with one of the town's newcomers, Rebecca (played by Morena Baccarin, the Deadpool franchise). The only problem is their carefree conversations always include one glass of Pinot Noir too many, and secrets come out that perhaps shouldn't. At the same time, Hildy and her ex-flame Frank (Kevin Kline, who has previously shared the screen with Weaver in Dave and The Ice Storm) begin rekindling their spark, forcing her to face her life choices thus far.

Screen Rant spoke to Weaver about how she approached the role of Hildy Good, what she loves best about reuniting with Kevin Kline, and the importance of female friendship in The Good House.

Sigourney Weaver Talks The Good House

Morena Baccarin and Sigourney Weaver in The Good House

Screen Rant: I had so much fun with The Good House, especially the fourth wall breaking that Hildy does throughout. What was it like for you to do that on set? Because I just keep imagining your kids turning around like, "Mom, who are you talking to?"

Sigourney Weaver: I feel like when we meet Hildy, her life is such a pressure cooker. She's putting up this brave front that she's fine and she doesn't need any help—and, in fact, her life is kind of falling apart. When she breaks the fourth wall, it felt emotionally like I had to, and that I can finally let my hair down. I can finally be candid and say, "Can you believe what's going on in my life?" It's almost like I'm having a drink with the audience at a bar, like, "You would understand." She's taking them into her confidence.

I think you really root for Hildy because, first of all, she's funny. But also, she shows a lot of vulnerability with them, and she's very likable. She's a very likable character.

I definitely did root for her, and for her relationship with Frank. I thought it was so nice to see you and Kevin on screen together again. What was it like, getting to reunite with an old friend?

Sigourney Weaver: I felt so fortunate because I signed on, and Kevin signed on after that. To know that Frank was going to be in such good hands [was great]. Kevin created this really solid guy—of course, he can't help it, he's such a hunk anyway.

But I felt, as someone who was playing the lead and was really out there emotionally, that I just had so much support from Kevin. I knew that when I let go of the trapeze swing, he'd be there to catch me. And he's so much fun, but he's also such a pro. We tease each other, but we really love each other and respect each other.

Your relationship with Morena Baccarin's character Rebecca is so fascinating throughout the film. Can you talk about building that dynamic and what Hildy feels she's getting from Rebecca?

Sigourney Weaver: She's new to the town. She's someone who has her own secrets, so Hilda can share her secrets, and they bond over Pinot Noir. It's a great safe escape for Hillary to finally be able to let her hair down with another woman and talk about her husband leaving her for a gay guy, all the other things going on, and how she really feels about stuff. It just shows how important female friendship is.

Morena was just such a wonderful actor and such an amazing person. It was so great that we got to have her play Rebecca in the film, because it's a very important character.