“It was fun to play with a relationship that wasn’t just pure love at first sight”: Lucy Boynton and Justin H Min on The Greatest Hits

The Greatest Hits, set to premiere on Disney+, is a new romantic drama directed by Ned Benson, an author of the critically acclaimed Eleanor Rigby trilogy. The film tells the story of Harriet (Lucy Boynton), who discovers that listening to certain songs enables her to go back in time and relive various moments with Max (David Corenswet), her deceased boyfriend. At the same time, she meets David (Justin H Min), with whom she becomes strongly enamoured. Harriet will need to decide if she wants to continue a new relationship or try to change her past.

We sat down with Boynton and Min to talk about their roles, inspirations, music and the substance of their newest film.  

What did you find interesting about your characters? 

Lucy Boynton: When it comes to Harriet’s relationship, I loved how she approached her chemistry with David. In real life, when you do not anticipate anything like this, you react to some new situations in a much more honest way. She’s very vulnerable when she meets David and their new friendship exposes her real self. It’s poignant and beautiful to watch them bloom and see how they react to each other. They have a unique understanding, which I found quite moving. Besides, I had to associate Max’s actor, David Corenswet, with grief, although we knew each other from various projects. It was interesting to perceive him in a brand-new light. 

Justin H Min: It was fun to play with a relationship that just wasn’t pure love at first sight. Two people, who needed each other, suddenly connected. They find themselves in circumstances where they both mourn after losing their close relatives. Part of letting go is allowing yourself to grieve, but also taking steps to move forward. And they both do that. Most of my characters in the last couple of years were assholes, so it was finally nice to tap into kindness and infinite love! 

LB: It’s about realizing that letting someone go does not mean discarding everything related to the people we lost. It appears to be liberating for our characters.  

JM: Also, I’m happy I could be a part of The Greatest Hits. Things have slowly been opening up for Asian actors’ representation in Hollywood and the progress we have been making up is exciting. Being in a film, which does not treat its character’s identity as an indicator of his personality, was something remarkable for me. 

How did you work on the chemistry between Harriet and David? How did you discuss their “situationship”?

LB: Everything was in the script and we just relied on it. 

JM: We shot this film scene by scene, so we were able to get to know each other just like Harriet and David in the film! As it progressed, we became much more comfortable with each other. 

What was it like to work with Ned Benson?

LB: He’s really sensitive and honest with his actors (especially this kind of material requires honesty and a safe environment). Ned helped us to open ourselves up for the film’s script.

What is your personal relationship with music, Lucy?

LB: I did some films in the past related to the music, so I’ve found it timeless. It always surprises me how 1980s songs can universally resonate with a new generation. Our film explores this theme: it shows how music can make you feel and how emotionally one can be attached to it. This is why working with Nelly Furtado on singing her I’m Like a Bird was a pure joy for me. 

JM: You have to do a musical next time!

Do you have any songs in mind that allow you to go back in time? If so, to what moments exactly?

LB: I’m thinking about Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks and travelling to 1960s London. I always found this period and its generation attractive.  

JM: Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now always brings me back to the era of my childhood and eurotrips with my family! Any time a song I like pops up on the radio, I just recall the first time I have ever heard it. It’s a natural process for me.

LB: I’m aware that the way we listen to music changes: Spotify gave us access to many records and new artists. Back then, I think people used to celebrate the releases of new albums more. The collective experience was different, but today music still allows us to feel it. On a personal level, our connection to our favourite songs will persevere.

Jan Tracz

The Greatest Hits is released on Disney+ on 12^th April 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Greatest Hits here: