The new indie film, I Am I, focuses in on a relationship between an estranged father and daughter who try to reconnect after years apart. Kevin Tighe plays the father who is suffering from mental illness which prevents him from remembering his daughter. He thinks she is his ex-wife since his memory only remembers up until the age of 34.
Jason Ritter is Tighe’s caretaker who takes his responsibilities very seriously. The emotional connection between the two characters is simple and loving. Daily Actor spoke with the two actors about their on and off-screen relationship. In fact, their off-screen relationship extended back to Jason’s childhood because Kevin went to college with his father, John Ritter. The two stars have had a long history together.
“In all of the scenes together, I felt very well taken care of. I was able to do a lot of good work because I had him,” said Kevin.
Kevin based much of his research for his amnesiac role off of an Oliver Sacks book called, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.
He explained, “An Oliver Sacks book..which has a Korsakoff’s syndrome in the book called ‘The Lost Mariner.’ That sort of succinctly contained the kernel for the character.”
For Jason, he understood where his character was coming from in aiding the ailing father.
“He really cares about Gene and wants him to get better, if possible. At the end of the day, he wants to be there for Gene, he wants to protect Gene, he doesn’t want to put Gene in any sort of situation that will be bad for him so he goes a little against the rules.”
Even when a family secret is revealed, the core theme that love comes in many forms from unexpected sources is echoed throughout the film.
I Am I opens Friday, June 13.
