NYWIFT Blog

By Katie Chambers

Writer-director-actor Edward Burns’ latest feature film, Millers in Marriage, made its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). An ensemble drama with a stunning cast including Gretchen Mol, Patrick Wilson, Julianna Margulies, Campbell Scott, Benjamin Bratt, and Minnie Driver, Burns’ latest follows the thorny emotional lives of three siblings adrift in middle age, surveying the vagaries of long-term love while championing the possibilities for personal change.

NYWIFT Member Rosemary Lepre Forman was costume designer for the film. She sat down with us to discuss her creative journey with the project and her experience at TIFF.

 

 

Congrats on your Toronto International Film Festival premiere! What does inclusion in Toronto mean to you?

It’s an absolute honor to be chosen for the Toronto Film Festival. It’s one of the most prestigious festivals in the world and the only one open to the public, so it’s a particular thrill to see the audience response. I’m so grateful we were invited.

 

How has your festival experience been? What have been some highlights?

Toronto is breathtaking scenically and the people are so welcoming. Highlights for me include seeing my work on the big Screen at the magnificent Princess of Wales Theatre and watching our beautiful cast and crew dressed up and walking the red carpet. I also treasured my morning runs along Lake Ontario followed by the guilty pleasure of caviar hash browns at D|BAR, Four Seasons Hotel.

 

 

How did you get involved with Millers in Marriage? What enticed you to this particular project? 

I have been working with writer, actor, director, and now author Ed Burns for seven years now. I was enticed by this particular project because I can totally relate to the struggles and triumphs of a woman in her 50’s.

 

 

I know this is like asking someone to choose their favorite child…but do you have a favorite costume from the film?

Wow, a favorite costume, that’s tough. If I had to pick one, it would be the last scene of the film worn by Eve (played by Gretchen Mol) — a beautiful white silk blouse to symbolize new beginnings with a skinny dark jean, studded belt, jewels and black chunky boot. I added the belt and chunky boot as a nod to her rebellious youth. 

 

It sounds like this story posed some interesting opportunities for you as a designer given the elements of memory and character development over time. What were some of the creative ways you incorporated this into your design work?

For Gretchen Mol’s character, Eve, I chose a very specific accessory that played into the elements of memory and character development over time — a silver necklace with three charms. One was a musical note, the other two were charms with her sons’ initials. The idea was that while she cherishes her sons and her nurturing role as a mother, she still holds on to her love of music which is something that has defined her personally throughout her life. And though there were years when she put her guitar aside, she never lost her love of music, it’s something she keeps as close to her heart as her own children.

For the character of Maggie, played by Julianna Margulies, I chose an ice blue pajama set for her bedroom scenes. On the page Maggie was a cold character, and I wanted to highlight that in wardrobe, plus the ice blue looked great in the bedroom which had a solemn color palette of greys and whites.

 

 

What was your biggest challenge working on the film? And favorite moment?

My favorite moment was when we found out about getting into the Toronto Film Festival!! 

My biggest challenge was to find high-end clothing, for we had a very limited budget. Being that every character was successful it had to read as such on film. Minnie Driver’s character, Renee, who is a wealthy fashion exec… I felt her clothing and accessories needed to look authentically expensive, so I went to my friends at Albright Fashion Library because I know their pieces would read fashion forward. As soon as Minnie put on those dresses and coats her character came to life. I even lent her my own grey Fendi coat for one scene. She loved it and it was a win-win for both of us — one less thing to buy!  

 

What is next for you?

I just wrapped an unforgettable two-month shoot of a golf comedy in Ireland. The combination of rain and wool really made me appreciate the importance of Guinness.

I am still finishing up with some post work and looking forward to my next project and wherever in the world it takes me.  

 

 

About Rosemary Lepre Forman:

Growing up in nearby Holmdel, New Jersey, from an early age she was excited by the possibility of moving to New York City. After graduating with distinction from Wesley College in 1996, this dream came true!

Since then, she has never looked back and has contributed her artistic vision to a myriad of projects such as Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry, Spin City starring Michael J. Fox and Heather Locklear, Sex and the City, Law & Order: SVU, Friends from College, Red Oaks, Darren Star’s Younger, and the film Summertime. After many years of dedication, Rosemary received the NYWIFT Designing Women Award in 2011 for her contributions to the TV show Nurse Jackie and later earned the title of Head Costume Designer.

When she is not working, Rosemary enjoys playing ukulele and is an avid runner. She is also a devoted mom who divides her time between Manhattan and Windham, New York.

Learn more at https://www.rosemarylepreforman.com/.