The actor, who rose to fame with ‘High School Musical’, stars in ‘I’ll Take Care of the Beer’, Peter Farrelly’s new film, now on Apple TV+
Zac Efron’s name is associated with that of a youth actor with an army of teenagers idolizing his image. However, his time in ‘High School Musical’ is behind him, a film that made him a teen star and led him to other roles of the same cut in ‘Hairspray’, ’17 again’, ‘Inglourious neighbors’ and ‘Baywatch: The Baywatch’. After falling into the hell of drugs and oblivion, Efron decided to take some time to face his new stage and moved to Australia to forget about Hollywood. There, with his life on hold, he received the script for ‘I’ll Handle the Beer’ from director Peter Farrelly. An opportunity to show that there is much more to Efron than physicality and talent for singing.
Based on a true story, the film tells how Chickie Donohue (played by Efron) decides to travel to Vietnam, with a bag of beers, to support her friends from the neighborhood, who are fighting in the war as soldiers. However, what begins as a well-intentioned journey quickly turns into a surprising adventure that will change his fate as Chickie faces harsh and bellicose reality. With Farrelly at the controls, after winning the Oscar with ‘Green Book’, the film is a different look at the Vietnam War. Produced by Apple TV +, the feature film has just been released on the platform.
–Have you ever considered committing something crazy like the one Chickie did?
“I would never think of such an idea, but I can empathize with what was going through Chickie’s head when she decided to go to Vietnam. I imagine it must have been very difficult watching his close friends from New York march to the front lines and he wanted to help. I think at another time in my life I would have thought he was crazy, one of those crazy guys who would land on his feet every time he screwed up, but we’ve all had friends like that and they’re necessary. I have met Chickie and he is a sensational man. He helped me a lot to understand everything he did on that trip.
–What does it mean to you to be able to meet the person you are interpreting?
-It’s a unique moment. I don’t know how to put it into words, meeting the guy you play and living moments of his life. I remember being quite nervous and immediately overwhelmed by the joy of meeting him. He is a happy man. I was excited to tell this story.
Chickie is not a hero in the traditional sense, but he was a true hero to his friends and to a lot of people. His story inspires empathy from the beginning, doesn’t it?
It is a story full of emotion. I love the sisterhood and camaraderie between Chickie and his small community friends. It certainly impresses his dedication to the guys who went and fought in Vietnam for their country. He impressed me how far he was willing to go to show support for him. I just think their act of friendship was amazing. Over the course of this movie, you see a normal guy in many ways who goes through hell and evolves. A man who changes and learns. He is really the eyes and ears of the audience. And that’s the fun part: from a civilian’s perspective, seeing what it would have been like for him to be in the war.
–This is a very different role for you. He has stopped playing the heartthrob we are used to seeing him. Does this character represent a new direction in your career?
I prefer not to think in those terms. But I know that this film, this experience, this kind of work, where I’ve been able to collaborate with Peter Farrelly, Bill Murray and Russell Crowe, has allowed me to play a higher level of storytelling and that’s really what I aspire to. If it were up to me, I would have started with these kinds of movies, but I don’t know if I was prepared in my youth to play these characters. I feel very proud to have participated in this film and to celebrate a man like Chickie with my performance.
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What is Peter Farrelly like?
“I had a great time working with Pete. I’ve always wanted to work with him because I think his work shows a curiosity that catches my attention. With this story, in particular, there was a lot to navigate. There is a great arc for this character. He’s exposed to the elements, so we need a lot of choreography. I was honored to be able to hear and witness a Farrelly shoot. He knew of my need to transform and trusted him to help me. Now I feel that I was very lucky to receive the call from him at this time in my life, because I would not have been able to make this film in my youth.
-You decided to go to Australia, what is your current relationship with Hollywood?
I don’t live in Hollywood. I am a traveling man who travels with a truck from one place to another. I dedicate myself to traveling, enjoying nature, walking through the forest and camping. I have stopped being attached to material things, I travel with what is fair and I enjoy my life in a different way. I have lived a process of adaptation to my life away from Hollywood.
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