Brian Formo: 'Our Generation Can Take This': An Interview With Xavier Dolan, and the Actors of Laurence Anyways

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Quebecois filmmaker Xavier Dolan might seem combative about age, but what he is most interested in is the differences in generations. A former child actor who began life on set at age five, he's been equally revered and reviled for having his first three films debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival (the first being I Killed My Mother, in 2009, which he directed at the age of 19, followed by Heartbeats in 2010). His newest film, Laurence Anyways, also debuted at Cannes (in 2012), and is finally starting to play in theaters in the U.S. this week.

Being on set at such a young age got Dolan around adults much younger than most, and has perhaps enhanced his ability to write older characters with the nuance and observation of someone much older.

"Being on set as a kid and hearing about sex stories and hearing people swear ... it's a very specific atmosphere." Dolan laughed when I met with him for an interview during the AFI Film Festival, "When you're a kid and you're missing school to enter this world of adrenaline that's so peculiar it changes the way you see things forever. It helped me in studying and looking at adults and dig for psychological information."

Laurence Anyways is an epic love story that chronicles a decade between the moment when Laurence (Melvil Poupaud) tells his girlfriend of two years, Fred (Suzanne Clement) that he wants to become a woman and still be together. The film is more than a trial of their relationship, as Dolan filters this choice from viewpoints across numerous generations of parents and friends, but also different gender and sexual orientations.

If that sounds like a political film, it is not. It is a human film -- and a generational one. Dolan utilizes numerous pop notes. Certain sections feel like a joyful music video, with slow cam and clothes falling out of the sky. Others are scenes that you'd expect -- Laurence is cast out from certain family members and colleagues, is beaten in an alley -- but the strength of the film is that the characters are so well defined and the scope of Laurence's relationships is so large that every note feels true.

There's a scene where Fred goes shopping for a wig for Laurence and tells a friend, "Our generation can take this. We're ready. The sky's the limit!" That scene is set in 1989, Dolan's birth year. Laurence Anyways closes in 1999. The period is an interesting and appropriate choice, set in a decade when society, at large, avoided discussions of gender identity.

"I'm not sure that [their] generation is ready to take this," Dolan says, before emphatically declaring, "I think my generation is ready to take this... A generation can be ready to take something but society is made of various generations, so not every generation is ready ... I think my generation is ready to stop talking about gay marriage because it seems so obvious to us: people of the same sex should just be happy and marry... there are no questions to be asked about the concrete actions that we should take, but some other generations are questioning that."

Suzanne Clement, who won Best Actress in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes (Dolan also won the Queer Palm award for director), said, "Xavier set the movie in the 90's because he wanted it to be a period movie. (Laurence's) choice wasn't tolerated then and you can still see that apparent nowadays."

Poupaud told me that he was "surprised" by his transformative role, "because when I first put on the dresses I was very comfortable. It was just another costume... The weird thing was the looks from other people around me: the extras, people on the street looking at me in a weird way with angry looks or making me feel uncomfortable, even though I wasn't uncomfortable. Some looks were aggressive. Guys would look at my ass in an aggressive way. Some guys who were very macho, with big muscles and tattoos, I think they looked more ridiculous than me, because they were overacting their masculinity. You can see that in the movie. . (Laurence) is very focused on what he wants and he's studied and everyone around him becomes more crazy or reveal themselves as cowards or mean people."

Poupaud was originally cast in the smaller role of a transgender who stayed in a coupling with his female partner. Louis Garrel, from The Dreamers was originally cast as Laurence but Dolan thought that a younger actor could make the story suffer. Poupaud became Laurence two weeks prior to filming.

"If Laurence was 25 or 30, (the film) wouldn't have been as thoughtful," Poupaud says. "But as I am 40, I think it's deeper and more mature. He's stronger. If he'd been younger, audiences would be like, 'ah, poor kid.' You might pity him. But I think in this film, you don't pity him. He's a hero or heroine, and a strong and courageous man."

In an interview with Slant Magazine, Dolan stated that he wanted this film to be his Titanic. Although, that might sound cheeky or ironic, he is very genuine about it. You can draw parallels (outside of length, as Laurence Anyways does run 160 minutes), and he does. "I wanted to have a double narrative," he says. "I wanted to have a narrative from the future, (which is) the voiceover in [Laurence's] conversations with the journalist. That's sort of a tribute to Titanic... It's a perk because it allows the audience to be a little bit ahead of the characters and know what's coming before the characters know themselves."

"Titanic made me want to tell stories," he continues, "To have all these characters and costumes and have ambition and think big and have dreams... It came at a very troubled period of my life. I was a bully at school and my mom was sending me to boarding school and I saw Titanic right before that. I saw it 35 times. Thirty-five times and a half, because one time my mom brought me to the theater to see As Good As it Gets and I thought it was really boring because I was young and I'd never seen it since -- I'm sure it's good -- and I said I was going to the bathroom and, instead I went to see (the rest of) Titanic."

"Laurence Anyways" begins playing in theaters June 28 in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Gainesville, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle; July 5th in Los Angeles and San Diego and July 19 in Phoenix and Salt Lake City

Clips from the film and footage from my interview with Xavier Dolan can be viewed here.

My review of the film from the AFI Film Festival can be read here.

Follow Brian Formo on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BrianEmilFormo

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Brian Holton Henderson: The Warhols Dandily Redeemed

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Until this weekend, when I saw the Dandy Warhols play at the Fillmore, I had a really hard time liking them.

A few years back, I watched the documentary Dig!, directed by Ondi Timoner. It chronicles the growth and divergence of two alt-rock bands, the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. They came of age in the late 90s, as grunge began fade and the Indie scene started to form. Together they helped to create what is now called the neo-psychedelic genre, mixing elements of 1960s rock and roll with the growing electronica movement.

Ostensibly, it is a comparison of the Dandys' decision to sign with a major record label and BJM's commitment to a music "revolution" free The Man's involvement. Though the film keeps the tension between artistic purity and commercial success a theme throughout, it is mostly a gratuitous, somewhat fictionalized account of BJM frontman Anton Newcombe's erratic, noxious behavior. The Dandys' lead singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor narrates, his piecemeal, haughty drawl dubbed over images of Newcombe assaulting band members onstage and stalking his former friends. At one point, Newcombe is shown roller-skating into a venue at which the Dandys are playing in a Soviet fur hat and leisure suit, vaguely spitting threats. Hipster violence! Hilarity ensues. Juxtapose that with shots of the Dandys playing to a massive crowd at the Glastonbury Festival, and we have drama. You have to admire Timoner's plotcraft; we all enjoy watching someone combust into a cloud of excess.

In all the focus on the absurdities of both, what struck me most was how much the Dandys hewed to the Epic Rivalry motif. Yes, they became successful, headlining at sold-out festivals in Europe and making several overproduced music videos with David LaChapelle. (Definitely set aside time to watch the video for "Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth." Clown makeup! Glam-hair! Babes in syringe suits! Sultry eye contact! Pastel!). Yes, Taylor-Taylor was jealous of Newcombe's tortured genius thing, and Newcombe vibrates insanely between the two poles of recognition-envy and contempt.

However, this was the nascent Indie scene. This wasn't the media-fueled bad blood between Kurt Cobain and Axl Rose, or the Nas and Jay-Z feud. Members from both camps periodically invoked the rivalry between Oasis and Blur (remember that one time when Noel Gallagher told a reporter he wanted Damon Albarn to "catch AIDS and die?"), or the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Both bands strove to emulate UK greats like Spiritualized and the Stones, with the Dandys tending more towards Bowie, and BJM exuding a vaguely more "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine" kind of vibe. But neither had the mega-star visibility to either eclipse their influences or truly live out their delusions.

Suffice to say, the Dandys come across as deluded slaves to fame. So when I saw them play this past weekend, I was pleasantly surprised to find them neither aloof nor decadent, their prismatic sound intact. The show was part of a celebration tour for the 13th anniversary of their album Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia, to accompany a remastered release.

The Dandys made Thirteen Tales shortly before their ascent to European fame, before they renovated a party warehouse in Portland they named the Odditorium in which to debauch, and before they staged a shoot in the aftermath of a grim BJM blowout party, to pose among the very real ruins of someone else's health and dignity, and to dust themselves with a bit of that risk and verve.

Thirteen Tales draws its sound from nearly every tributary of rock. There's the grungy, groundswell synth distortion in "Nietzche" and "Horse Pill," interrupted by folky twang in "Country Leaver"; the meditative choral harmonies in "Sleep" and the sweeping psychedelica in "Mohammed"; and of course the brilliantly catchy "Bohemian Like You," pregnant with that particular kind of earworm that only a pop hit can instill. Thirteen Tales is raucous and eclectic and terrific. It's self-conscious without the sneer that came later, catchy and wild without mythologizing. Taylor-Taylor screams "I just wanna get off" into the microphone and we all know it's unabashedly true. He just wants to be famous.

The show I saw had a "mission accomplished" feel to it. They played well, energetically and candidly. I had the distinct impression that it was being savored. I took a shot of drummer Brent DeBoer with his eyes closed, mouth open, suspended in anticipation of the coming drop. Formerly doe-eyed keyboardist Zia McCabe writhed around onstage, caught up in the energy of the room. A distinctly middle-aged, no longer effete Courtney Taylor-Taylor didn't try to steal the show.

I left the show feeling a bit of hope for my co-millennials. All told, my generation has no right to pronounce judgment on the Dandys. With a bit of luck -- though we may spend a decade or so casually dropping the name of our tech startup, or demurring to eat dandelion greens unless they are certifiably local or wearing bomber jackets while propagating our succulents in our urban alley apartment -- we may eventually achieve some of the grace and ease the Dandys showed last night.

Follow Brian Holton Henderson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/henderslap

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Check Out Brian Krakow Now

The ATX Television Festival hosted a "My So-Called Life" reunion on Friday in Austin, Texas and the cast revealed some scoop about the game-changing teen show.

Cast members from the short-lived, cult hit series gathered at the second annual ATX Festival to discuss the legacy of Angela Chase (Claire Danes), Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto) and co.

Though Danes and Leto weren't in attendance for the "My So-Called Life" reunion, Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez), Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow), Bess Armstrong (Patty Chase), Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski), creator Winnie Holzman and composer W.G. Snuffy Walden were on hand. They dished about life behind-the-scenes of "My So-Called Life," which aired on ABC from 1994-1995, and where they think the show's characters, which teens fell in love with, are now.

Check out photos and scoop from the "My So-Called Life" reunion at the ATX Television Festival below, including one cast member who looks very different.

My So Called Life reunion. @wilsoncruz is here. THE Wilson Cruz! Squee! #atxtvs2 #mscl twitter.com/TabbyFlatt/sta…

? Tabitha Flatt (@TabbyFlatt) June 7, 2013

Here's the #MSCL cast! Shut out of interviews. Sorry kids - but still great to see them! #atxtvs2 twitter.com/ModwildTV/stat…

? Carissa Pavlica (@ModwildTV) June 7, 2013

Gorgeous #MSCL cast! Can I be Bess Armstrong when I grow up? #ATXTVS2 twitter.com/queenkandis/st…

? Kandis (@queenkandis) June 7, 2013

I'm having a lot of 1994 feelings right now. twitpic.com/cvv3jv My So-Called Life seems MORE perfect now. #ATXTVS2

? Melissa Mann (@PhantomRat) June 7, 2013

Cruz, who is now openly gay and has become an advocate for gay youth, opened up about his revolutionary role on "My So-Called Life."

Wilson says there wasn't pressure in playing the first gay teen on primetime but a responsibility to play it honestly.#ATXTVS2

? Melissa(@onlymystory) June 7, 2013

One thing that Gummersall revealed at the "My So-Called Life" reunion was that Jared Leto played his wingman and helped him pick up girls. Audience members at the ATX Festival panel were impressed with what a ladies man Gummersall turned into.

Brian Krakow is a major hottie these days. #mysocalledlife #ATXTVS2 twitter.com/SamanthaJanay/…

? Samantha Janay (@SamanthaJanay) June 7, 2013

Brian Krakow is the Jordan Catalano of this panel. I like the way he leans. #atxtvs2 #mscl twitter.com/roseng_je/stat…

? Jamie R (@roseng_je) June 7, 2013

Even Cruz noted what Angela missed out on by dismissing her nerdy friend Brian, who had a major crush on her.

Wilson:"Look what Angela would have ended up with if she chose Krakow." twitter.com/onlymystory/st…

? Melissa(@onlymystory) June 7, 2013

Though he may have been sans Angela, Gummersall said what he thinks would've become of Brian.

Devon Gummersall says he thinks Brian Krakow would have been an internet guru and have developed Facebook. :-)#atxtvs2

? Carissa Pavlica (@ModwildTV) June 7, 2013

And how about Angela?

"I think Angela grew up and joined the CIA," Winnie Holzman jokes. #MSCL #atxtvs2

? Carrie Raisler (@TVandDinners) June 7, 2013

Do you think Angela Chase could've grown up to become Carrie Mathison, Danes' character on "Homeland"? What's your favorite "My So-Called Life" episode? Sound off in the comments!

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UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - Claire Danes gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Bob D'Amico/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - Claire Danes gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Bob D'Amico/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - Claire Danes gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Bob D'Amico/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez) also stars. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes (second from right) played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Pictured, left to right: Jared Leto (Jordan Catalano), A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff), Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez), Lisa Wilhoit (Danielle Chase), Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski), Claire Danes (Angela Chase), Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes (center) played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Pictured, left to right: Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow), Jared Leto (Jordan Catalano), Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski), Claire Danes (Angela Chase), Lisa Wilhoit (Danielle Chase), A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff), Tom Irwin (Graham Chase), Bess Armstrong (Patty Chase), Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes (right) played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Bess Armstrong and Tom Irwin played Angela's parents, Patty and Graham; Lisa Wilhoit played Angela's sister, Danielle., (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Tom Irwin plays her father, Graham., (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Tom Irwin plays her father, Graham., (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Bess Armstrong plays her mother, Patty., (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Lisa Wilhoit (Danielle Chase), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Tom Irwin and Bess Armstrong play Angela's parents, Graham and Patty., (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Jared Leto (Jordan Catalano), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff) , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Wilson Cruz (Rickie Vasquez) , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Bess Armstrong (Patty Chase), (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - gallery - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. , (Photo by Mark Seliger/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela realizes she is over Jordan (Jared Leto) and is into someone else., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) also stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) also stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela (Claire Danes, left) realizes she is over Jordan and is into someone else. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) and Wilson Cruz (Rickie) also star., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Betrayal' - Season One - 1/12/95, Angela realizes she is over Jordan (Jared Leto) and is into someone else., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 26: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' - Season One - 1/26/95, Jordan (Jared Leto) asked Brian for help on winning back Angela's affections., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 26: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' - Season One - 1/26/95, Jordan asked Brian (Devon Gummersall) for help on winning back Angela's (Claire Danes) affections., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 26: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities' - Season One - 1/26/95, Jordan asked Brian for help on winning back Angela's (Claire Danes) affections., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 08: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Guns and Gossip' - Season One - 9/8/94, Angela (Claire Danes) was devastated when she was the object of gossip while Brian (Devon Gummersall) found himself in the middle of a scandal over a gun in the school hall., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 15: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Father Figures' - Season One - 9/15/94, Angela approached Graham (Tom Irvin) for the first time as a person rather than a superhero., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 01: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Dancing in the Dark' - Season One - 9/1/94, Angela awkwardly tried to get closer to Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto)., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 01: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Dancing in the Dark' - Season One - 9/1/94, Angela (Claire Danes) awkwardly tried to get closer to Jordan. Wilson Cruz (Rickie), A.J. Langer (Rayanne) and Devon Gummersall (Brian) also star., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 15: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Father Figures' - Season One - 9/15/94, Angela (Claire Danes, left) approached Graham for the first time as a person rather than a superhero. Wilson Cruz (Rickie) and A.J. Langer (Rayanne) also star., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 15: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Father Figures' - Season One - 9/15/94, Angela (Claire Danes) approached Graham (Tom Irvin) for the first time as a person rather than a superhero., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Why Jordan Can't Read' - Season One - 10/6/94 Angela (Claire Danes) connected with Jordan when she discovered that he had difficulty reading. Wilson Cruz (Rickie) also starred. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) WILSON CRUZ, CLAIRE DANES

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 22: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'The Zit' - Season One - 9/22/94, Patty (Bess Armstrong) came to grips with the feeling that she was not measuring up to some standard of beauty when she developed laugh lines. Lisa Wilhoit (Danielle) also starred., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 22: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'The Zit' - Season One - 9/22/94, Angela (Claire Danes, left) came to grips with the feeling that she was not measuring up to some standard of beauty when she developed zits. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) also starred., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 01: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Dancing in the Dark' - Season One - 9/1/94, Angela awkwardly tried to get closer to Jordan. Devon Gummersall (Brian) also stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 01: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 'Dancing in the Dark' - Season One - 9/1/94, Angela awkwardly tried to get closer to Jordan. A.J. Langer (Rayanne) also stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - pilot - 8/25/94, Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Beth Armstrong and Tom Irwin played Patty and Graham Chase, Angela's parents., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - pilot - 8/25/94, Claire Danes (left) played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff) also stars., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: MY SO-CALLED LIFE - pilot - 8/25/94, Claire Danes (left) played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who wanted to break out of the mold as a strait-laced teen-ager and straight-A student. Beth Armstrong played Patty Chase, Angela's mother., (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

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