Tika Sumpter’s latest film “My Man Is A Loser” hits theaters and VOD this Friday, July 25.
The Lionsgate release is written and directed by Mike Young and stars Tika Sumpter, John Stamos, Michael Rapaport and Bryan Callen. The plot follows two married friends, Marty (Michael Rapaport) and Paul (Bryan Callen), who hire their single playboy friend Mike (John Stamos) to “help them get their mojo back” in order to save their marriages. Their plan backfires, leaving their wives unimpressed with their new personalities.
The Source Magazine was on the red carpet for the film’s New York premiere at SVA Theater, which was hosted by Diageo and Mobli. Guests were treated to all natural popcorn, Eddie’s Pizza and mini snapples, and Bai 5 drinks. Read our exclusive interviews below:
John Stamos
What attracted you to work on the film?
I liked that it wasn’t the formula of some of these movies … it’s not like I’m taking my best friends out to Vegas to have sex or something, in this I’m trying to help them with their marriages. I don’t want them to leave their wives, I want to try to nourish their relationship. This is a guy who believes in the institution of marriage, wants it really badly for himself, and the motto is the grass is not greener, if you have a good lawn take care of it.
Tell me about working with Tika.
Anytime she was on the set it was a good day.
What do you admire about Mike as a filmmaker?
He’s an adorable guy. He knew what his strengths were, and his weaknesses. He was humble enough to let me and Rapaport and Callen help him out so it was a great combination.
Can you speak about working with Michael Rapaport?
I know a lot of comics, I’ve worked with a lot of funny people. Probably hands down one of the funniest guy that I’ve worked with, been around, super pro, I’m always learning and I learned a lot from him, too. It spawned a really nice friendship. So I love him.
Producer Eric Bamberger
Tell me what attracted you to the project.
I just know that there’s a story to be told about the relationship between husbands and wives and their kids that hasn’t been done yet. Now all the movies out there these days are about husbands who go on these crazy trips and then they do things they probably shouldn’t be doing; These guys actually said, “I want to fix my marriage and I want to hire someone to help me make it better”. It’s very difficult to do. So it makes it a lot different from other movies I’ve seen before.
Can you tell me about working with John?
John is an amazing actor, super smart guy, and I’m actually way more beyond impressed than I thought I was going to be.
Tell me about working with Tika.
Tika is so cool and is so down earth and so much fun. She’s such an amazing actress and she’s just great.
What do you have coming up that you’d like to share?
Well my day job is I’m in the advertising business, and for now after the movie ends I’m going to start promoting it, which is what I really do, and I don’t have any more movies in the hopper right now. But this was a fun experience, I’m definitely going to do it again.
Heidi Armbruster
Tell me a little bit about your character.
My character, Liz, is married to Paul. She’s a hot mom. She likes her designer handbags and her designer shoes and she loves her little girl and she’s making sure that little girl has all the piano lessons and voice lessons and dance lessons that she needs to become a superstar. And basically with all of this attention, she’s forgotten to pay attention to her marriage.
Which actor are you married to? What was it like working with him?
I’m married to Bryan Callen. He’s a doll. He’s so charming and such a star and he is a virtuosic physical comedian. That dude can make anything look and feel funny. It’s always really real but it’s hilarious.
What was it like working with Mike the director?
Oh, he’s such a bro. Like he’s totally in that “Entourage” lineage or whatever so you’re like, “Oh, so this is what it’s like to hang out with the bros.”
There was a bromance on set?
Totes bromance. We would be like where did everyone go and they’d all be in the corner bro-ing out.
What upcoming projects would you like to share?
Oh I’m doing “Theresa Rebeck’s Poor Behavior at Primary Stages”. We open next week.
Jessica Press
Introduce yourself.
I play Laura. She wishes she was John Stamos’ wife, and in her mind she probably believes she will become his wife, but he has a little bit of a different idea of her.
What was it like working with John?
I mean, let’s be real, it’s Uncle Jesse. What can go wrong?
What was it like working with Mike?
He’s absolutely amazing, he’s the best. We’re actually neighbors in LA. He’s sweetest guy to work with, love him.
Another of the film’s stars shared relationship advice.
What advice to keep the flame alive in a relationship?
First of all we have to believe in ourselves. I think a lot of times when you’re in a relationship for a long period of time, sometimes we get a little bit low because we don’t feel as sexy or desirable. And I think it’s important for us to feel desirable. So do things that will make you feel sexy: dress up, go get your makeup done. I’m a big fan of – looking in the mirror and saying, “Wow, you are hot!”, because not all the time are we going to hear that from our partner. So you need to really feel that and see that within and always keep that “I’m enough” as your mantra. I think element of surprise, do something surprising for your husband or wife.
A fun after-party followed at the Gansevoort Hotel.
