The universe was trying to send a message to Paul Rudd: Get the hell out of L.A.
First came the earthquake, then the mugging, followed by five car accidents in the span of a week. It was the mid-‘90s, not terribly long after the release of “Clueless,” and Rudd had already been contemplating moving to The Big Apple to do theater. This series of unfortunate events, and a chance encounter with the actor Tom Hulce, sealed it. Rudd moved to New York City, made his Broadway debut in 1997’s “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” and never looked back.
It’s fitting, then, that his latest film, “Rain Reign,” is premiering at the 25th edition of the Tribeca Festival. The film marks a “Clueless” reunion between Rudd and Jeremy Sisto, this time warring over how best to raise a child versus the affections of the most popular girl in school, as well as the first collaboration between Rudd and his wife Julie, who produced the film.
Directed by Erika Burke Rossa, “Rain Reign” centers on Rose (newcomer Felice Kakaletris, outstanding), a neurodivergent 12-year-old in a small town who, despite her gentleness and warmth, is struggling to make friends and adapt to middle school life. Making matters worse, her single dad (Sisto) leaves her home alone most nights, drowning his sorrows at the local watering hole. When her beloved dog Rain goes missing, Rose and her affable uncle (Rudd) embark on a mission to find her.
