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I saw a movie at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival that changed my life. That may sound hyperbolic, but it's true because after catching a screening of Brittany Runs a Marathon, I was inspired to sign up for a marathon.

The movie stars Jillian Bell as Brittany, a young woman living in New York City who's having a tough time getting her life together. She parties super hard, her career isn't exactly taking off and then, on top of that, she gets an alarming report from her doctor who encourages her to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Running isn't Brittany's thing whatsoever, but you have to start somewhere, right? One day she musters the motivation to run just one New York City block and that winds up paving the way to Brittany finding the motivation to train for a full marathon.

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Image via Amazon Studios

I didn't just cry at the end of Brittany Runs a Marathon; I sobbed throughout most of the third act of the movie. Helping this one make an even more indelible impression on me, soon after seeing Brittany Runs a Marathon at Sundance, I got to tell Bell how much the movie inspired me at SXSW. Her genuine excitement and warmth was just the encouragement I needed to kick off my training strong. At this point, I'm about midway through the training schedule, right at that point when the mileage requirements creep up so high that I'm losing a little sleep over it, but again, in swoops Bell for an extra dose of motivation by appearing on Collider Ladies Night!

We chat about everything from her success with studio comedies to tracking down a project like Brittany that goes well beyond the traditional comedy. We also talk about her brief appearance in Bridesmaids, her fear of spiders, her favorite horror movies, the best running advice she got, and so much more. Be sure to catch the full episode of Collider Ladies Night with Bell at the top of this article. (You can also find a handy breakdown of the full chat below!)

Jillian Bell:

  • 00:30 - I'm running the New York City marathon because of this movie!
  • 01:40 - What to listen to while distance running.
  • 04:40 - Bell's favorite film; if she had to get a movie tattoo, what would it be?
  • 06:50 - The first gig that made Bell believe she could build a career in the industry.
  • 10:59 - 22 Jump Street seemed to put Bell on the map in a big, new way; did it feel that way for her?
  • 12:20 - Bell was actually in Bridesmaids!
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    Image via Amazon Studios
    13:40 - Writing for SNL; the process of getting a sketch to air.
  • 15:27 - Joining a project that's a comedy, but also a lot more.
  • 17:00 - Bell talks about the opening scene; was there a lot of improv?
  • 18:25 - Who's the person Bell turns to and always has her back?
  • 19:34 - Did Bell run at all before signing on for this movie?
  • 21:43 - The best running advice Bell got while making Brittany Runs a Marathon.
  • 22:26 - The filming schedule; the physical journey while making the movie.
  • 24:05 - Feedback after the Sundance premiere; working with Paul Downs Colaizzo.
  • 25:15 - Accepting help and not interpreting the offer as an insult; toxic friendships.
  • 26:08 - Running a marathon on behalf of a charity.
  • 26:49 - Bell talks about her two dogs.
  • 28:16 - Bell on Brittany O'Neil, the person who inspired the movie.
  • 30:25 - Bell on getting into producing with her sister.
  • 34:05 -
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    Image via Amazon Studios
    What helps make the time fly on long flights for Bell?
  • 35:05 - What happens when Bell shares a favorite film with a friend and they don't it.
  • 35:40 - A recent movie Bell saw that she wishes got more attention.
  • 37:00 - The movie Bell quotes the most; her birthday tradition.
  • 38:08 - Collider Random Questions!
  • 41:36 - Bell's list of inspiring individuals who are changing the industry for the better.
  • 42:26 - Who is the unsung hero of Brittany Runs a Marathon?
  • 43:40 - Random trivia about Jillian Bell!

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