My husband and I try and do a date night once a week, but that only happens if we are lucky. This past week we went to see Steve Carell’s new movie Crazy, Stupid, Love after I got the opportunity to interview Steve. After a stressful week, a good laugh is what we both needed!
About the movie:
At fortysomething, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels. Worse, in today’s single world, Cal, who hasn’t dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his free evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protégé to handsome, thirtysomething player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can’t be found at Supercuts or The Gap. Cal and Emily aren’t the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places: Cal’s 13-year-old son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), is crazy about his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), who harbors a crush on Cal. And despite Cal’s makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can’t be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading him back to where he began.
What did you enjoy most about making this movie?
Steve: Ryan Gosslings abs. They were not photo shopped, the are real. Most fun I had was working with Ryan and Julianne because they are wonderful actors. When you work with people that good you are inherently better and it’s very exciting.
Did you learn anything during the movie that you would apply to your own life?
Steve: I will never jump out of a car if my wife wants to discuss something serious with me. I apply things I learn in my life to scripts, movies or tv to make them feel as real as possible. I’ve never gone through this scenario with my wife. Again, my learning goes back to Ryan Gosslings abs. In order to have Ryan Goslings abs, you have to really work at it and be Ryan Gossliing.
Do you think this would be a good date night movie?
Steve: I think this is an excellent date night movie. I think to be the best parent and/or spouse you have to have your own life that has to be different and separate than your other lives. I’m not saying have a secret life, but you have to have your own interests and you have to feel good about yourself to be a good parent and spouse. The impulse is to put every effort into your children because its the most important thing in your life but if you forget to take care of yourself, your spouse and your relationship then you are not going to be as good a parent because you won’t be happy. There are many scenes that parents can laugh at and relate to.
How do you keep your kids grounded in LA?
Steve: I think the toughest part of that equation is when you drive by a billboard with your face on it and they look quizzically at it and don’t understand why your face is on the side of a bus or building. I just don’t want that to interfere or taint my relationship with them. They understand what I do, but they don’t really put any major weight on it. It doesn’t make me special and it doesn’t make them special. It’s just what I do.
What is your fashion style? Are you more like Cal New Balance or the Cal 6 layers of clothing?
Steve: I’m kind of in between, I’ll tell you what I’m wearing now. I’m wearing Asics running shoes, banana republic jeans and a plaid JCrew shirt. I know it all sounds so sexy. After 7pm my wife and I are in sweat pants and t-shirts. As soon as we know we are not going to be seen by the public, we are in complete comfort clothes. When I go out, I like to look clean and presentable. I don’t put that much emphasis of making a fashion statement.
Do you have any plans for other animated films?
Steve: There will be a second Despicable Me. As a matter of fact, I will be taking a look at the script when I get back to L.A. I should be filming this Fall. They already set a date for July 4, 2013.
What was your first paying acting gig and how did you get started?
My first job was in 1988 in Chicago. I was making almost no money, just enough to live on. I never thought I would become an actor. I thought I would be a lawyer. Acting came very late in the game.
If your kids wanted to get into acting, would you and your wife encourage them or would that terrify you?
When the time is right. I want them to be kids and don’t want them have a career as children. I want my kids to find what most interests them. It’s their life and they need to choose their own path. All I can do is give them the best foundation that I can.
What was your favorite scene to shoot ?
There is a scene toward the end of the movie that turns into all out chaos. There is a knock down all out fight. There is a shot of Julianne and other characters watching the fight. We were laughing so hard because it was the most ridiculous looking thing. It was like a bunch of puppies jumping all over each other.
Disclosure: I was given passes to preview Crazy, Stupid, Love. All opinions are my own.
