Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 10/02/24

Going on offense for freedom. With the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects Americans’ rights to freedom of speech and religion, currently under fairly open assault by those who hold themselves up as leaders, a film that addresses the issue directly couldn’t be more timely. Average Joe (opening in theaters nationwide on Friday, Oct. 11th) tackles the true story of Joe Kennedy, a Marine Corps veteran turned high school football coach who was fired from his job for taking a knee and publicly praying following games. Eric Close stars as Kennedy (no relation to yours truly).

JWK: In Average Joe you play Joe Kennedy, the football coach who took his religious freedom case all the way to the Supreme Court. What drew you to take on the role?

Eric Close: Joe was called to a task where he took on a big risk to do what he believed in. I just was really moved by that story and inspired by that story.

JWK: Obviously, the issue of free speech is central to the story.

EC: It is. You know, free speech is part of being an American. It was also the right to religious freedom. Joe was praying on the fifty-yard line after a football game. He was a coach and he was told not to do that anymore. He continued to do it and was fired. His lawyers said that he had a case and that he had a right, as an American under his religious freedoms and freedom of speech, to be able to pray. So, they took that all the way to the Supreme Court. It was a long battle but, ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor – not just in his favor but in the favor of all Americans.

JWK: I actually spoke with Joe Kennedy when his book came out. I assume you spent some time with him making the movie. What were your impressions of the man?

EC: First of all, he’s very likeable. He’s a great conversationalist. He’s got a great sense of humor (and is) a really kind person. I enjoyed spending time with him. He’s self-deprecating. He doesn’t put on any airs. He’s very open about his shortcomings in life. I like that about him. I enjoyed our time. We didn’t get to spend a lot of time together but, (from) the times that we have gotten together, he’s just a really cool guy. I liked hanging out with him.

JWK: The story kind of recalls two other famous instances of people “taking a knee” on the football field. One is Colin Kaepernick when he took his knee and the other is Tim Tebow. With Tim Tebow, it was an expression of faith. With Colin Kaepernick, it was more of a political protest. What are your thoughts on them. Does it matter if “taking a knee” is an expression of faith or a political protest?

EC: This is just my opinion but we live in a free country. That’s what’s great about our country. Both those guys had the freedom to make the choices they wanted to make whether you like it or not. I feel that that, often times, when we don’t like what another person is doing we try to destroy them for that. You see it on social media a lot. It can get pretty ugly on social media. People hide behind their user name or whatever. They hide their identity but those people too have the right to do that. I personally choose to avoid commenting on social media – unless it’s a cute little cat or dog. I might “like” that.

To answer your question, in our country we’re always gonna have differences. You have the right to do certain things – but then there are things the law (says) you can’t do. We have to respect the law, as well.

JWK: At one point in the film, your character is talking to his wife and defending the rights of people who send him hate mail. I’m not so sure I totally agree with that. I think hate mail might cross a line.

EC: Yeah, you know I remember that scene. I think it takes place in the kitchen at our home. I think there is a difference. Denise and Coach Joe received what you might consider hate mail or just heavy criticism or opposition. That’s one thing – but they also received death threats. When someone threatens your safety or your life, that’s a whole different deal. That’s not acceptable. I think what Joe was talking about – and I don’t want to speak for Joe – but my takeaway from that was that he would say “Yeah, we may not like the negative comments that are coming our way but…I am fighting for those people’s rights as well, even if we don’t agree.”

JWK: So, commenting is one thing but threatening is another.

EC: Yeah, when you threaten to harm somebody that’s crossing the line.

JWK: One thing I find interesting about the film is that when Hollywood portrays a legal drama – particularly true legal dramas – it usually does so from the viewpoint of the liberal position. Of course, free speech and free expression of religion, in the past at least, have been liberal positions. This film, though, is taking the side of the conservative.

EC: Well, I’m gonna kinda push back on that a little bit. Here’s why. We live in a country where we are free to express our religious beliefs – or not.

I just watched the US Open in New York City – the whole tournament, two weeks – and they opened the Men’s Final (with) America, the Beautiful. If you read the lyrics, it acknowledges God on several of those lines – and God’s sovereignty over our country. In a way, it is a song but it’s also a prayer. When we saw Damar Hamlin go down on the football and have a heart attack, our nation came together and prayed for him. When 9/11 happened – or when we have a conflict, a school shooting or anything – in America, regardless if you’re a liberal or conservative, people pray. I, personally, have as many conservative and liberal friends. I have friends that don’t even believe in God. We’re all Americans. Everybody has that right to their beliefs.

What I like about this movie is, yeah, conservatives can find their voice in it but liberals can find their voice in it as well. As a matter of fact, I will also say this, John, there is a wonderful scene in the movie between Coach Joe and an avowed atheist and they talk about this subject. It even gives a voice to the atheist. It’s easy to say this movie leans conservative. I can see why that would be but I still think, at the end of the day, even liberal audiences would be entertained by this movie. It would at least give them food for thought and open up pretty interesting conversations.

JWK: You’ve been in several hit TV series, including Without a Trace and Nashville. I actually really enjoyed two of your short-lived shows called CHAOS and Now and Again. I thought they were great shows. You’re also an accomplished director, including episodes of Without a Trace and Nashville, as well as some Hallmark movies. Do you plan on doing more directing and what’s that experience like?

EC: That’s a great question. Thank you for asking that. For me it was a natural progression as an actor and a storyteller to want to get behind the camera and direct. In fact, it was something that I wanted to do in the beginning of my career. I was pursuing the path of becoming a director and then my acting career just really opened up and took off. So, I didn’t give up on that dream but my focus really was on acting. Then when the opportunity presented itself for me to get my shot to direct – and that was on Without a Trace – thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Anthony LaPaglia and the showrunners on that show. They all got behind me and gave me my shot.

What I love about directing is the ongoing collaboration with the entire team. When I say the “entire team” that means everybody from the actors, to the grips to the PAs to the producers, the writers, across the board. Primarily you’re working with the department head of each department creatively. What I like about directing is you’re collaborating and you’re empowering everybody to do their best. That’s fun for me.

JWK: What do you look for in a project, both as an actor and/or as a director?

EC: That’s a great question. First I will say, I look at the story before I look that the character that I might potentially play. Directing is different, right? You’re looking at the entire story. As an actor I’ve seen projects where I like the role but I don’t like the story. Sometimes I won’t do a project because my first job as an actor is to make the story better and to help tell that story. So, that’s important to me that it starts with a good story.

I have a pretty eclectic palate for different stories. Like I said in the beginning of our conversation, I definitely love redemption stories, underdog stories and seeing people overcome challenges. This is why I often do not have a problem playing a character that is actually the antagonist or what people might describe as the “bad person.” Either I like to see that person have some sort of change in their life – and there’s redemption – or they get caught for what they’re doing and there are consequences for their actions.

You could take the TV series Breaking Bad, for example. That whole thing was about there being consequences for the choices you make. Unfortunately for those characters, it didn’t end well because of the choices they made. So, to me, it wasn’t glorifying bad behavior or criminal behavior by any means. It took a big look at it but, in the end, you realize, boy, that’s the wrong choice to make.

JWK: By the way, I’m about to talk with Pat Boone, your co-star in The Mulligan about his role in the Reagan movie.

EC: Give him my best! I love Pat! He’s a good brother! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. We’ve played some golf together. We’ve prayed together. We’ve taken communion together. We’ve had some amazing conversations. He is just a solid guy. He’s the real deal, let’s say that.

JWK: I’ll tell him you say hello. I know you two have a great rapport. I remember that. So, what’s next for you?

EC: I’m actually gonna do a little travel. I’m also promoting Average Joe right now…I just did a Hallmark movie…I play a guy named Pastor Mark. His daughter’s gonna get married and he’s not fully ready to let her go. Let’s put it that way. I think it’s gonna be called To Have and to Holiday. It’s a fun story that will be coming out (Sunday, November 24th at 8:00 PM ET) on Hallmark. So, I have that project going too. Just enjoying the process.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.