LOS ANGELES — Remember how tough high school was?
“The Plank” is a dark high school comedy starring Rita Moreno as Mrs. Wheeler, a cruel physics teacher.
When Ben, played by Connor Kalopsis, and his physics class are failed by Mrs. Wheeler because the student cheated on an exam, Ben and his friend Tanner, played by Ramona Young, ruin her life and frame her for the crime. Make a plan to fall into. Murder on social media.
Soon after, conspiracy theories engulf the entire community.
Maureen Bharucha, who directed ‘The Plank’, said we live in a world where everyone is influenced by social media.
“At the time we were making this movie, we weren’t even talking about AI. It’s even more on the cutting edge. And I’m sure there are people in my family whose brains have been eaten away by social media. “It’s the kind of story that makes everyone wary of what they see online and how far they can take revenge,” she said.
Rita Moreno said in an interview with Spectrum News that she loved playing Mrs. Wheeler, calling her a “female snake.”
“She’s the most evil creature in life,” Moreno said.
And where did Moreno get the inspiration to play such a villain?
“It was so easy to play her. All I did was think about all the people in my life who had been so mean to me (blatantly). That’s how my character became… I was born,” she said.
For Kalopsis, he told Spectrum News that working with Moreno was one of his greatest acting achievements.
“She’s a legend. She’s an icon. She charmed us with her presence, her kindness and her humor,” Young said.
When it comes to pranks, Young says she watches others do them, but Kalopsis says she doesn’t do traditional pranks.
“When I was in high school, I used to cause trouble for my teachers,” he said.
Was it difficult for them to play the characters? As for Kalopsis, Young said he looked more like Ben when he was in high school and identified him with Tanner, but said there was no shenanigans.
Moreno, 92, says retirement is not part of his vocabulary. She is thriving, having fun, and spreading her joy.
“I’m having the best time of my life. Why would I want to give up all this fun? I’m here,” she said.
What is the secret of her life?
“You know what? Joy! I like to spread joy,” Moreno said.
“The Plank” also stars Kate Flannery, Meredith Salenger, Jonathan Kimmel, Nathan Janak, Betsy Sodaro and Romel del Silva.
“The Plank” is currently showing in theaters.
Click the link above to read the full interview with Rita Moreno, Connor Kalopsis, Ramona Young, and Maureen Barucha.
