‘Mack & Rita’ to Feature Former Honorary Mayor Martin Short

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Former Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades Martin Short can soon be seen on the big screen in a role in the upcoming comedy “Mack & Rita,” slated to hit theaters August 12.

“When 30-year-old, self-proclaimed homebody Mack Martin reluctantly joins a Palm Springs bachelorette trip for her best friend Carla, her inner 70-year-old is released—literally,” according to a synopsis of the film. “The frustrated writer and influencer magically transforms into her future self: ‘Aunt Rita.’ Freed from the constraints of other people’s expectations, Rita comes into her own, becoming an unlikely social media sensation, and sparks a tentative romance with Mack’s adorable dog-sitter, Jack.”

The film stars Elizabeth Lail as Mack Martin, with Diane Keaton playing the older version of the character, Aunt Rita. Taylour Paige will play the best friend, Carla, with Dustin Milligan as the love interest Jack.

“I grew up always feeling like I was an older woman trapped in the body of a little girl,” Lail as Mack said in a preview for the film. “I wrote a book and I did my darndest to keep my inner old gal to myself.”

Lail’s recent roles include “You,” “Gossip Girl” and “Ordinary Joe.”

Other starring roles in the film include Loretta Devine, Amy Hill, Lois Smith, Wendie Malick and Simon Rex.

As the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday, it was not yet revealed what role Short would have in the film. The actor has recently received buzz for his role of Oliver Putnam in TV series “Only Murders in the Building,” which, now in the midst of its second season, received several Emmy nominations.

“Mack & Rita” is directed by Katie Aselton (“The Morning Show”), written by Paul Welsh and Madeline Walter, and produced by Alex Saks, Keaton, Stephanie Heaton-Harris, Jina Panebianco and Dori Rath.

Gravitas Venture recently announced the launch of its new theatrical release label, Gravitas Premiere, which shared plans to acquire several “cast-driven,” “high production value films”—with “Mack & Rita” marking its first release.

The film, rated PG-13, has a run time of one hour and 35 minutes.