<\/p>\n When taking on the role as matriarch Lily in The Good Half<\/em>, Elisabeth Shue<\/strong> was attracted to telling a story about the \u201chonest\u201d \u2014 and ultimately, very \u201cfunny\u201d \u2014 aspects that come along with the process of grief.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the humor in [this film] is what really made me want to do it, because I feel like that\u2019s what\u2019s the most human \u2014 is how absurd it is and how sad and tragic it is,\u201d Shue, 60, shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly<\/em>. \u201cBut it\u2019s also just absurd how people react to the terrifying reality of people dying. It\u2019s just terrifying that it\u2019s going to happen to all of us. And so we all go into some strange, numb, shocked mode that creates a lot of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n The Good Half, which was written by Brett Ryland and directed by Robert Schwartzman, follows Renn (Nick Jonas<\/strong>) as he returns home to Cleveland for his mother Lily\u2019s (Shue) funeral, where he must confront his grief and reconnect with estranged family members. Renn, however, finds himself at odds with his sister (Brittany Snow<\/strong>) and stepdad (David Arquette<\/strong>)<\/a> when they all have different ideas on how to handle honoring Lily post-mortem.<\/p>\n Those clashing personalities \u2014 and chaotic approach to the more bureaucratic aspects of death \u2014 are what Shue finds most entertaining and true to life. \u201cEveryone\u2019s just trying to, like, deny [death],\u201d she said. \u201cThe way the family deals with the logistics, I find it hilarious.\u201d<\/p>\n While Shue only appears in flashbacks throughout the film, most of her moments are shared with Jonas, 31. The actress told Us<\/em> that she gives her costar \u201cso much credit\u201d for his performance, noting that the pair only had \u201ctwo or three days\u201d to cram in all their scenes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had already done the whole movie with all the rest of the [cast] in New Jersey,\u201d she continued. \u201cAnd so, frankly, I was kind of worried. I usually like to spend a lot of time with the actors I work with. You develop a rapport. And we just showed up on the set. \u2026 And instantly, our relationship had to begin, and he just was so lovely. So present as an actor. It just was so nice to instantly feel that kind of trust. I\u2019m very grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n The Karate Kid actress <\/em>added that, in some ways, the quick shooting schedule was beneficial, as everyone was \u201cenergetic\u201d and \u201cmotivated\u201d to get the work done, leading to a light tone on set.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was so fun because I just got to do scene after scene after scene with Nick and Brittany,\u201d she gushed. \u201cIt was just such a happy experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n Elisabeth Shue<\/span> Dimitrios Kambouris\/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Elisabeth](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2Elisabeth-Shue-on-Embracing-the-Absurd-and-Tragic-Journey-Through-Grief-in-The-Good-Half.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Elisabeth Shue<\/span> Utipia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n