The new film Good Girl Jane, now available on demand on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and other platforms, follows a lonely high school girl struggling with addiction and a toxic relationship. Written and directed by Sarah Elizabeth Mintz in her feature debut, the gritty, female-centered indie drama features powerhouse performances from newcomer Rain Spencer as the title character and veteran Andie MacDowell as her mom.
The film’s stars and director sat down with Woman’s World to discuss what they learned from one another and the challenging process of bringing a dark yet ultimately poignant story to life.
Woman’s World: What was the casting process for the movie like?
Sarah Elizabeth Mintz: The movie is inspired by my freshman year of high school. It’s based on something that happened when I was 15, and then I started writing it when I was 25 and we went into production when I was 30. I’d been looking for Jane for a long time. I was feeling a little downtrodden about how I was going to find her, but one day, because I was so anxious, I went into the casting room and sat there myself. That day, Rain came in and she got half an inch into the room when I spotted her, and I knew it was going to be this young woman.
A few people that knew me in high school were on set for little passing roles, and they all commented that Rain had embodied certain aspects of my personality. There were these uncanny things that she picked up and delivered.
For Andie, I wrote her a letter specifically asking her to do this film with us and saying why I thought she would make sense in this world. She luckily responded to it and we sat and had a cup of tea together at her house. I felt very grateful that she responded the way that she did.
WW: Andie, what drew you to the role?
Andie MacDowell: The script was beautiful. I’ve read a lot of scripts, and I thought this was very well-written and the story was captivating. I was interested because the script was so great, but I have to say the process was a little scary for me because I didn’t understand it fully.
I was thinking I was supposed to have this edge as a mother, and I don’t know if I needed as much edge as I was bringing to it. I felt that was what I was supposed to do. I had compassion for the character that I was playing, but it really wasn’t about me. That’s the truth.
With my little part, I’m glad that I showed up and that I could be any help whatsoever to get the movie made. I hope I helped, but it’s not like I’m so impressed with my work. I’m impressed with everybody else’s work, and I’m proud to be a part of something that’s truly artistic and interesting and lovely to watch.
WW: Rain, what was it like making your feature debut in this film?
Rain Spencer: This was one of the most magical experiences I’ve had so far in my life. I had to go to dark places for the character, obviously, but the safe environment that Sarah created on set made it possible. It felt like a blessing. I got to learn from Andie and Sarah and I got to explore younger versions of myself that dealt with loneliness and be able to heal 16-year-old Rain through this work.
WW: You had to look back at your high school experience for the film. What were you like during that time of your life?
Rain Spencer: The one huge commonality that I had with Jane was that in high school I had a hard time making true connections with people, and I felt pretty isolated. I think a lot of teenagers feel that way, and it was a pivotal moment in my life to go into Jane and go back to my teen self who felt so alone and anxious.
Andie MacDowell: My high school experience is too complex to explain, but I would say I had a lot of empathy, though I don’t have the same story at all. My story was also difficult, and I think that’s one reason why it touched me so much. I understand that confusion and feeling of being lost.
WW: If you could give your high school self advice, what would you say to her?
Sarah Elizabeth Mintz: Advice is so tough. I wish I had the tools to show myself more love from a younger age. I feel like I’m learning how to be kinder to myself every day and learning to look back at the younger version of myself and show her a lot of compassion. The sooner you learn that who you are is absolutely right and good enough, the better.
Andie MacDowell: I’m 66 and I’m still working on that. I had absolutely no guidance because my mother was an alcoholic. I did an intervention for her when I was 17. I have so many stories, I can’t even begin to tell you. I do feel like my mother loved me, and that was my saving grace. I always forgave her, and I had no animosity towards her, so that was interesting.
There’s no nugget of advice, and there are so many things I could’ve helped myself learn, but somehow I found my way through regardless.
Rain Spencer: I wish someone taught me certain tools that I could use for developing self-worth. I didn’t know that I could change the thoughts in my head that were so negative when I was a teenager. I didn’t know that I could replace those negative thoughts with positive ones, and now I practice affirmations and give myself a hug and say “I love you.” I don’t have to get triggered and throw a pity party or act out. I can be there for my younger self right now.
WW: Andie and Rain, what did you learn from one another during the making of the film?
Rain Spencer: We had a moment where you opened up about certain things in your life, and I opened up about certain things in my life, and I felt it was really cool to connect on a deeper level. I felt seen by you, and you’ve worked and lived this life a long time, while this was my first job. Watching the way that you moved on set and seeing what you did and how knowledgeable you are—I’m grateful that I got to witness it in person.
Andie MacDowell: You have that gift of being able to go there, and a lot of people are afraid of doing that. It’s unusual to witness that kind of raw acting. I’ve worked with people with great educations from really good schools, and it’s like they’re locked—they almost let loose, but not quite. It’s a rare gift to be able to let loose and have that freedom to feel what you feel.
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