Imagine getting to portray one of your favorite characters, the beloved Finley Sinclair, from Jenny B. Jones' "There You'll Find Me." It's no wonder, then, that actress Rose Reid emphasized it was "absolutely her dream role" to play Finley in the book's movie adaptation, "Finding You," which opens in theaters today. Townhall spoke with Reid in the days before the film's release.
The synopsis provided to Townhall reads:
Finding You is an inspirational romantic dramedy full of heart and humor about finding the strength to be true to oneself. After an ill-fated audition at a prestigious New York music conservatory, violinist Finley Sinclair (Rose Reid) travels to an Irish coastal village to begin her semester studying abroad. At the B&B run by her host family she encounters the gregarious and persistent heartthrob movie star Beckett Rush (Jedidiah Goodacre), who is there to film another installment of his medieval fantasy-adventure franchise. As romance sparks between the unlikely pair, Beckett ignites a journey of discovery for Finley that transforms her heart, her music, and her outlook on life. In turn, Finley emboldens Beckett to reach beyond his teen-idol image and pursue his true passion. But when forces surrounding Beckett’s stardom threaten to crush their dreams, Finley must decide what she is willing to risk for love.
Not only was it Reid's "dream role" to play Finley, but she enthusiastically shared that Beckett was her "childlike crush." The film was filmed on location in Ireland, which Reid says she "fell in love with" and called "so surreal."
Especially as we've missed traveling during the pandemic, Reid called it an "escape" and "what people need this year." While she suggested that the film will "draw a crowd" and that it's for moviegoers of all ages, Reid shared that it ought to be particularly touching for mothers and daughters to watch together, as well as grandmothers and granddaughters. And, while the film may be a romance, Reid did share that "so many" of her guy friends have seen it and loved it.
Reviews from IMDb also recommended the movie as a "date film."
In addressing what many readers look for in movie adaptations, that is for the movie to do the book justice, Reid provided assurances that it does. She emphasized that while there are changes, the movie "honors the spirit of the book," that it "did it justice," and "tells the essence of the story." What certainly helped was that the film's crew was in close contact with the author, who loved it.
When asked what makes Finley relatable, Reid mentioned that it's the various struggles Finley goes through and that she still manages to "come out of her shell." Reid also offered up a lesson in that when it comes to your dreams, "if you want it and work hard enough, you'll get it. It's about how much you put into it, and your ethic." Tying it back to Finley, Reid said that that's "what her character shows, that's what she has to do." The movie, the character, and the takeaway are "about the journey and the people you meet and the lessons you learn along the way."