Summary
Overview
Dax Shepard and Monica Padman deliver Uber Eats orders with guests Dakota Fanning and Jake Johnson while discussing their new film 'The Sun Never Sets.' The conversation ranges from Dakota's childhood stardom and homeschooling experience to Jake's comedic career, ADHD behaviors, the challenges of fame, and working with legendary directors like Quentin Tarantino. They bond over their love of the film, relationships, acting techniques, and the authentic, low-budget filmmaking process.
Film Review: The Sun Never Sets
Dax and Monica share their enthusiastic review of 'The Sun Never Sets,' praising the film's emotional authenticity and performances. The movie follows Jake's character, a divorced dad in Anchorage who encourages his younger girlfriend (Dakota) to date others over the summer to avoid future resentment about not having kids. The plan backfires spectacularly when she reconnects with an ex-boyfriend, leading to a brilliant role reversal that had Dax and Monica "screaming laughing" at Jake's character being hoisted by his own petard.
- Jake's character moved to Anchorage after divorce, dating Dakota's character with strict no-marriage, no-kids rules
- His plan is for her to date others over summer so she won't resent him later for missing out on motherhood
- She meets her ex-boyfriend Chuck (Corey Michael Smith) during this experiment
- The couch scene where Jake's character completely reverses position and begs to have a baby is comedic gold
- Dax and Monica loved it despite being sleep-deprived, couldn't stop laughing
" We were screaming laughing, watching a man get hoisted by his own baton. "
" I knew how this night was going. What a great story, though. "
Dakota's Unconventional Upbringing and School Experience
Dakota reveals she was homeschooled until ninth grade, which she credits with giving her unique confidence and lack of self-consciousness. When she finally attended Campbell Hall in Los Angeles, she showed up on the first day with a rolling backpack and didn't care what anyone thought. This homeschooling experience, she believes, helped her avoid the traumatizing middle school years when kids are meanest to each other, contributing to her grounded personality despite childhood fame.
- Dakota was homeschooled until ninth grade by the same teacher from second grade
- She showed up to first day of high school in a plaid skirt with a rolling backpack
- Kept the rolling backpack the whole first year despite it being uncool
- Her homeschooling gave her confidence and lack of self-consciousness that persists today
- She missed the traumatizing 7th and 8th grade years when kids are meanest
" I did not give a fuck that, like, people might have thought that was embarrassing. I was like, this is what I want. It had my name on it. "
" I think I missed the part where kids are the meanest to each other. "
📚 9 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.