Award-winning actor John Carroll Lynch, widely recognized for his memorable roles as Norm Gunderson in the iconic movie “Fargo,” Steve Carey in “The Drew Carey Show,” and the terrifying Twisty the Clown in “American Horror Story,” has another role to add to his impressive resume: film director. This multifaceted talent, who calls the Millerton, New York, area his part-time home, is bringing his critically acclaimed directorial debut, “Lucky,” to The Moviehouse for a special screening. Fans and film enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see “Lucky” on Sunday, January 28th, and Monday, January 29th, with Sunday’s screening featuring a personal appearance by John Carroll Lynch himself for a post-film discussion.
Lynch’s connection to Millerton is deeply personal. “My wife and I are in LA for work much of the time,” Lynch explained, “but as she’s also an actress, she was frequently working in New York. We rented a house near Millerton and immediately fell in love with the area.” This initial rental turned into a more permanent commitment. “We decided to move there permanently four years ago,” he continued, highlighting the appeal of the region. Despite their relocation, work still takes them back and forth to the city and other locations.
Turning to his film, “Lucky,” John Carroll Lynch describes it as a poignant exploration of life and mortality. “Lucky is really about a way of looking at life inside mortality, which we all face,” he states. The film centers on a 90-year-old man, portrayed by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton in his final major role. “[Lucky] is a man who has outlived everyone he knows, and is at the frontier of human mortality. He’s 90 years old; most people never get there. He’s on the edge of that question, and realizes he might not have all the time in the world. How do you deal with that in a way that makes sense?” Lynch elaborates, emphasizing the film’s thoughtful and yet accessible nature. “The movie is told with a lot of humor and heart, and I’ll be talking about that with the audience,” he promises, offering attendees a deeper insight into the film’s creation and themes. He also notes the significance of Harry Dean Stanton’s involvement, “It happened to be the last major role that Harry Dean Stanton ever played, and with him being a major legend, it was fitting for to him to have a major sendoff.” Sadly, Stanton passed away before seeing the finished film.
For John Carroll Lynch, bringing “Lucky” to The Moviehouse is a homecoming of sorts. “I’ve been filming in New York, but I spent the last three years working in Canada, Atlanta and LA, so it’s nice to be near home,” he shares. Beyond showcasing his directorial work, Lynch is also actively engaged in new creative projects. “I’m starting to write a movie now that I’ll direct,” he reveals, hinting at future projects. Presenting “Lucky” at The Moviehouse, his local cinema, holds special meaning. “The Moviehouse is my hometown movie theater, so it’s really nice to be able to share my first feature with the audience I spend the most time with. It’s nice to support places like the Moviehouse’s existence,” Lynch emphasizes, underscoring the vital role independent cinemas play in the film ecosystem. “The movie I made, and the ones I want to make, aren’t going to have nearly as much opportunity to be seen by audiences if not for them,” he concludes, advocating for the continued support of local movie theaters like The Moviehouse.
