Method Man & Kelly Rowland Talk New Film
Prime Videos Relationship Purposep may center on workplace rivalry between exes, but for artists who are “dawgs.” Kelly Rowland and Method Manthe heart of the story shines a spotlight on a tough truth; sometimes the person you clash with the most is actually “all you need to get by.”
While chatting with the Managing Editor of BOSSIP Dani Canadathat tension came into focus amid a hum of a fan Method Man and Mary J. Blige's 1995 classicwhich actually underscores how Leah Caldwell (Kelly) and Jarrett Roy (Method Man) don't recognize how much they still rely on each other, not just romantically, but professionally.
“No, I think one of them will [realize that]”Method Man interjected with a laugh about Leah and Jarrett possibly not being aware of just how essential they are to each other.
Throughout the film, the two characters push each other. Leah's push is more career-centric, while Jarrett's push is for reconciliation after his womanizing ways drove him and Leah apart.
When asked what the audience can take away from watching two rivals forced to exist in the same place can take away from the film, Method Man and Kelly openly offered their opinions.
“That's a million dollar question right there,” Meth said. “You look at the bigger picture of why you're all there and then try to focus on that. A lot of times people in the workplace don't want you to come home with them. They're not friends once you leave the office building. You can be cordial — 'Hey, how are you?' – but that doesn't mean you know them outside of work. It is possible. It is absolutely possible. But love in the office? I am not the type of person who feels that it will work. “
Kelly noted that for Leah, no matter how much he may “need” Jarrett to grow professionally, the ambitious news producer has her limits.
“Borders are a real thing,” she said. “How will it affect the space I'm in? How will I show up differently?”
That push-and-pull is central Relationship Goalswhich reverses the traditional rom-com dynamic by placing career ambition front and center.
Produced by DeVon Franklin, the film follows Leah (Rowland), a sharp, driven television producer on the verge of becoming the first woman to host New York's top morning show. Just as the promotion appears within reach, her ex, Jarrett (Method Man), returns to her life, and the competition, claiming to be a changed man thanks to the wisdom of Pastor Michael Todd's bestselling book Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex, which inspired the film.
In the film, music becomes a playful metaphor for Leah and Jarrett's unresolved connection and chemistry. At one point, Jarrett even uses music and his personal playlist to push Leah to her limit.
When asked which song Leah would put on her own playlist for Jarrett, Kelly told BOSSIP she would pick “Complicated,” the track she and Method Man collaborated on for the movie, produced by Jack Dine.
“I'd pick our new song, 'complicated,' because that's exactly what it is,” she said. “Their situation is complicated. Their hearts are complicated. Their thought processing is complicated. People are complicated. Situations are complicated. Relationships are complicated.”
Method Man agreed, calling “All I Need” the obvious choice from his own catalog, while also suggesting Nas' “If I Ruled the World” as another fit for Jarrett's (egregiously wasteful) but confident demeanor.
“But I like 'complicated,'” he added. “That's good there.”
Behind the scenes, the dynamic between Kelly and Method Man proved just as important as their on-screen rivalry. Asked if it was more fun to play enemies than reluctant allies, Kelly told BOSSIP that she favored scenes where they were at other people's throats.
“I loved the rival. It was so much fun.”
Method Man echoed the sentiment and added that their real connection was forged off camera.
“Behind the scenes, that's my dawg right there,” he told BOSSIP. “Period.”
Kelly went on to praise Method Man as a scene partner, recalling a pivotal chemistry lesson that sold her on the collaboration.
“I thought, 'Method Man is gone. I just saw Jarrett,'” she said. “He was vulnerable. He showed up knowing all the lines, gave me the energy I needed, even if it wasn't his shot. I don't take that lightly. He was really generous with the space.”
Method Man returned the admiration.
“You're only as good as your dance partner. And she's got the rhythm.”
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Linda Mendoza, with a screenplay by Laura Lekkos and earlier drafts by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, Relationship Goals also stars Robin Thede, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, and Matt Walsh. The film is executive produced by Rowland, Bart Lipton and Todd under the banner of Amazon MGM Studios.
Relationship Goals premiering February 4 on Prime Video.
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