Helen Mirren Talks Road Trips and Bucket Lists at ‘Leisure Seeker’ Premiere

Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland talked road trips and debuted their film The Leisure Seeker, which follows John and Ella, a married couple taking one last cross-country road trip in their RV as they deal with life-threatening illnesses.

Director Paolo Virzi was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for the movie, and he told THR what it was like to work with the talented actors. “It’s easy. When you work with great people, talented, it’s easier. I can stand back and enjoy the show. … Every single thing they were [doing] was perfect. They are able to create a palpable sense of grace and truth.”

Their chemistry was palpable on the red carpet and during the photo call, at which Mirren described what it was like to work on the film. 

Mirren gushed: “It was the most blissful, extraordinary, humorous, lovely time of my life!”

Mirren, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance, also told THR why she felt she had to be involved with The Leisure Seeker. “It was a beautiful script about ordinary people getting through life and finding a way toward the end of life,” she said. “Above all it’s a love story. So there were many reasons why I really, really wanted to be a part of it.”

While walking the red carpet, the actors chatted about their most memorable road trips and the food they enjoyed along the way.

“Every small town across the south of America, they’ve got these all-you-can-eat buffets for like $6.99 with this amazing Southern food like, you know, fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, [and] the rice, dirty rice — fantastic,” Mirren said, enthusiastically adding that her last meal would be her ultimate favorite food, a grilled cheese sandwich.

The Leisure Seeker will open March 9.

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