SXSW 2014: ‘Patrick’s Day’ Interview

By Jordan Gass-Poore’

This was one of my most enjoyable interviews. If you listen closely, maybe you can hear the tinkling of pint glasses or the swigging of amber-colored liquid — the interview with the writer/director and two stars of the SXSW 2014 world premiere Patrick’s Day did take place after noon. That might be why I almost immediately felt comfortable sitting at a table in one of the Driskill Hotel’s quiet conference rooms with writer/director Terry McMahon, Moe Dunford (Patrick) and Kerry Fox (Maura). And the fact that Dunford said my name is “lovely,” not once but twice, also helped to put my mind at ease (or turned it into mush). My mom had a conniption when she found out that he also stars in, what she refers to as, the “Viking Show” (the show’s really just called Vikings, which my Viking friend said is entertaining but historically inaccurate). But I didn’t know he was in that show until after the interview.

Dunford’s performance in Patrick’s Day moved me to tears, not to sound cliche and all. Like Dunford, my family has a history of mental illness and, for me, it scares me to think that I, too, may at one point in my life suffer from a mental illness. The movie’s eponymous lead is a happy 26-year-old schizophrenic virgin whose life is turned upside down by a suicidal flight attendant. Patrick’s mother, Maura, disapproves of their burgeoning relationship and later realizes that her misguided love/manipulation may be doing Patrick more harm than good.

(And Terry, I plan to watch An Angel at My Table soon!)