Going Nuts in The Back-up Plan

As Stan and Zoe meet early in The Back-up Plan‘s first act, the only insight viewers get into her pre-Stan life is reflected in Hudson Mutts, Zoe’s pet store.

A former executive for a successful global internet company, Zoe quit her job to put her energy into a socially conscious pet store, that she bought after discovering that her own dog was puppy-mill bred. Refusing to sell bred puppies herself, she chooses instead to cater solely to pet adoptions.

“Buying Hudson Mutts is a turning point for her,” remarks Jennifer Lopez. “It causes her to realize she wants a child, someone with which to share this new, meaningful part of her life.”

For production designer Alec Hammond, Hudson Mutts would have to reflect Zoe’s new take on life – particularly in its color scheme. “Zoe’s lifestyle is not as sophisticated as when she was in her old job. That would naturally translate in the pet store she has created. So we used blues and oranges and purples and made Hudson Mutts a very lively place.” Hammond also peppered the set with Humane Society material and organic pet products to emphasize the store’s, and Zoe’s, commitment to healthy pet care.

Hudson Mutts is also a hip Greenwich Village gathering place. Making it a social environment created a setting for fun interactions between Zoe and employees Clive and Daphne. In the film, the pet store also hosts a book signing event was the perfect opportunity for a cameo by world famous ‘Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan.

The pet store reflects Zoe’s love for animals, namely her own. Enter Nuts – Zoe’s wheelchair-bound dog.

“This dog is the best,” remarks Lopez. “Even though Nuts is handicapped, Zoe treats him like he’s normal. She’s tough on him and she loves him. She’s always there for him.”

It’s definitely a loving relationship between owner and dog but it also has moments of push and pull. In the bathroom scene where Zoe learns she’s pregnant, the news only comes after she has to fight Nuts, tug-of-war style, for her pregnancy test, which he has decided to use as a chew toy.

Three rescued Boston Terriers – named Nip, Tuck and Nubbins – were used to portray Nuts. “In order to train the dogs to do all they had to do, we had to go with completely healthy dogs,” reveals Poul. The dogs were trained over a number of weeks by Marley & Me trainer April Macklin.

“One was good at faces, one was good at walking in the chair, and one was good at moving his head and fighting with you. They were all very talented. It was fun. Sometimes you just have to wait until they get it, but it was challenging,” says Jennifer of her canine co-stars.

Though Nuts only gives the illusion of being a handicapped dog, the director appreciated the opportunity to put the puppy mill message on screen. The message is serious but, as Poul notes, “Nuts provides a lot of comedy in the film. He has a big role – he’s one of the go-to characters for funny!”

The Back-up Plan opens on April 23, 2010.

With thanks to CBS Films!

[tags]alex o’loughlin, alex o’lachlan, the back-up plan, jennifer lopez, cbs films[/tags]