The two adult children of Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman are not intimidated by mental health conversations with their parents and even welcome them, making their father very proud.
Hugh Jackman was in New York City for a special screening of his latest movie, "The Son," hosted by Sony Pictures Classics & The Cinema Society. People got to talk with the actor about what his children feel about his new movie that touched on the issue of mental health.
The "Wolverine" star shared that he made sure to speak with his adopted children, son Oscar, 22, and daughter Ava Eliot, 17, about his participation in the film.
"It was very important that I talk to them about what it was about, what it meant to me and why I was doing it. When I saw the movie, I took them with me to see it and we had a long conversation. What I find amazing is the generation of 22 to 17-year-olds are totally fine having these conversations," expressed the dad of two.
He further added that the movie's story is cautionary as it deals with really difficult subjects, yet the way his children were open and engaged about it made him proud of them.
Recent project is 'deeply personal'
He was somehow surprised to know that it is his generation that is "a little more sheepish and shy" when it comes to discussions about mental health.
"The Son" is about divorced parents Peter, Jackman's character, and Kate, played by Laura Dern, who are struggling to help their troubled teenage son, played by Zen McGrath, with his mental health.
The 54-year-old actor declared that the movie was a "deeply personal" project for him, with his children being the same age as the son in the film.
Taking on the role of Peter in the movie gave the actor a different perspective of being a parent, and he is grateful for taking the role at this stage of his career as it is very timely for having children that are "either launching or getting ready to launch."
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Vulnerability is key in parenting
In a separate interview with Reuters a month ago, Jackman expressed that being an actual father with teenagers helped him fulfill the needed character of his role. He said every parent can relate to being scared about what "the hell to do."
He further admitted that since the movie, he has changed his parenting approach and started sharing his vulnerabilities more with his children. Seeing their relief when he does, makes it worthwhile.
This statement consistently agrees with what his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, mentioned years back in an interview about raising their kids.
She expressed that lying to your children and yourself is impossible when one is a parent. They will "shine a light on every one of your flaws," and "Achilles heel." She reminds parents to look at themselves and be vulnerable.
Jackman, who recently revealed that he would be starring in Deadpool 3 alongside his best friend Ryan Reynolds, stated at the end of the interview how crucial mental health issues are in the here and now that it has already become a crisis all over the world.
He emphasized that no one is immune to it and stressed the importance and the need for a family to come together and talk about it.
