The upcoming People Places Things, about a single dad dating (and failing at dating), is a different kind of rom-com. The kind filled with more Real Talk than we've come to expect from the genre—thanks, in part, to its star Jessica Williams. (You recognize her as the force behind every The Daily Show clip you email your friends—see: "The Unborn Ultimatum.") Here, a quick, candid chat.
Marie Claire: Does People Places Things tap into any universal truths about dating?
Jessica Williams: The movie presents a relationship a bit more realistically: People can take their role in a break up and people can own up to their shortcomings and their strengths. Also, there's interracial dating in the film—my boyfriend is white, and my last couple boyfriends have been white just because that's the way the cards were dealt, but race wasn't really the huge crux of our relationship. In the film, interracial dating is allowed to just exist, as opposed to being a major plot point.
MC: Are you a rom-com fan?
JW: Yeah, definitely—I can take it in small doses. I didn't grow up fantasizing about rom-coms, realistically. (I love films where women kicked ass, like Tomb Raider.) But I can really sort of dig into it when I want. I've seen all of them: 27 Dresses, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days…
MC: Is there one that's your go-to guilty pleasure?
JW: I love Mandy Moore films—I really love How to Deal a lot. Anything that's a teenager-y sort of rom-com. Oh, and A Walk to Remember; I really vibed there.
MC: Dream role—go!
JW: Any sort of superhero thing. That way, I could use this six-foot-tall Amazonian figure that I was blessed with. Plus, I really want to kick some ass.
A version of this article appears in the August 2015 issue of Marie Claire on newsstands July 21.
-
Kendall Jenner in Phoebe Philo Is Luxury with a Capital LThe sum total of her outfit is approximately six months of my rent.
-
Kaia Gerber's "Off-Duty Librarian" Look Is a Win for Nerds Everywhere
Bookworms, this one is for you.
-
Ciara Revolutionized Pregnancy-Era Beauty with Her Latest Look
The golden look that had heads turning.
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
