Carell talks to Hollywood Today about juggling TV and movies and not taking himself too seriously.
By Loren Lankford
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/26/07 — He may be known as a funnyman, but superstar actor Steve Carell still knows how to play an everyman. After a dark but comedic turn in last year’s breakout blockbuster “Little Miss Sunshine,” Carell gets serious again in his new film “Dan in Real Life.”
“I don’t think I care so much about how people perceive me,” Carell told Hollywood Today. “I wouldn’t do something serious in order to prove that I can be a serious actor. I just don’t care. I’m so happy to be employed and getting paid. If I can do stuff that’s fun and turns out well, then that’s enough.”
Carell said it was important that the film had elements of humor among the seriousness and that the film didn’t get too dark. “In the last year my immediate family has experienced a lot of loss and the one thing that I’ve gleaned from that is that even within depression, sorrow and darkness there is light and possibility and moments of happiness. Even the most depressed people can laugh and enjoy moments,” he said.
“My character has neglected a part of his own life at the expense of everybody else. He has put everyone else, mostly his daughters, in front of his own life. He’s just a guy trying to do his best and he’s gone through some rough times. Generally people that are depressed don’t know that they are and I think that’s where he is. It’s just a state (he is in), opposed to something you want to show other people.”
The film, directed by Peter Hedges, is about a widower and father of three who comes home to spend the holidays with his family. While there he unknowingly falls for his brothers girlfriend, played by Juliette Binoche. Dan, who writes an advice column for the local paper, is suddenly caught in a hilarious but complicated love triangle.
For Carell, the movie is about “two people trying to not fall in love.” While that may be what the movie is about, Binoche says it is really telling you something else. “Life can be very awkward, awful and chaotic but go for your dream and that’s what the film is telling us,” she told Hollywood Today. “It may not look perfect but at least if you’re true to yourself it’s alright.”
Binoche says that it was an interesting dynamic walking onto a set with two well known comedic actors (Cook and Carell) in a sometimes serious film. “There was a challenge on both sides,” she told Hollywood Today. “There was a respect and sharing of an experience together so that we made the experience real. And then it is lifted into a comedy because you have to laugh at tragedy sometimes because otherwise its unbearable.”
When asked about working with Carell, she says “Steve has a dry sense of humor. He is a low key actor, he doesn’t hang out or socialize that much. They (Cook and Carell) are very different but both real.”
Carell laughs off questions of whether it is hard to have a career in both TV and films without getting too busy. “It’s hard to even talk about what’s tough. I don’t see it as tough, I see roofing a house in 100 degree weather as tough. I get to act and have fun,” he says. “There’s just nothing to complain about and I know that might sound like a line but I have the best of all worlds right now and I’m constantly pinching myself at my good fortune.”
When asked about his hit show, “The Office,” Carell has only good things to say. “It hasn’t been a problem at this point. I know that it (my career) won’t continue at this pace. I’m happy to do the show. If it was a show that I was any less excited about I’d feel differently. I hate to sound like a broken record but I am so thankful for it. I’m extremely proud of the show.”
Hedges, who also co-wrote the film, is no stranger to family dramedys. He wrote and directed “Pieces of April” and also wrote “About a Boy” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” He has no other current projects on the horizon.
“Dan in Real Life,” which also stars Dane Cook as Dan’s brother, comes out October 26th. Carell can be seen next in “Horton Hears a Who!” which is slated for a 2008 release. He also has three other films, including “Get Smart” slated for 2008. Carell says that “Get Smart” is “looking good. I think it will be funny and exciting.” And of course, he can also be seen on “The Office” every Thursday night at 9pm on NBC.