Its a well rehearsed tradition by now. The interviewer pretends that they are speaking to the most fascinating film-star in the world and the film-star laps up the praise whilst plugging their latest film. Nothing is too personal and the enthusiasm is easily faked. This is the standard rule for most dull and formulaic film interviews although occasionally we get the rare treat when things go a little off script. The following list highlights five occasions where egos, lack of research and just general idiocy turn a regular interview into a cringe-worthy piece of car crash television.
5.) INTERVIEWER MISTAKES JOHN CUSACK FOR KEVIN SPACEY
You're a film student whose about to interview John Cusack. What should your first line be? A down to earth joke? A standard bit of banter about travel? Gush that it's such an honour to meet your favourite actor (probably a lie but most actors love flattery even when they know its false). Or maybe you should excitedly inform him that you thought he was great in American Beauty, a film which the actor never actually appeared in. The blonde interviewer announces that she has just had to skip a film class where they are analysing the film American Beauty and is somehow under the impression that John Cusack starred in the film. You can blame lack of research but seriously, even the average movie-goer is aware that Kevin Spacey won an Academy Award for the picture. On name value alone this is an absolute epic fail. Or was she confusing American Beauty for Serendipity? Hopefully after this awkward exchange Cusack walked up to this girl's lecturer and informed him/her that this particular student really can't afford to be skipping any more of his lessons. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKMOXXmw450
4.) MEL GIBSON DROPS THE A-BOMB ON LIVE TV
Just one look at Mel Gibson's face in this transmitted interview and you can tell that he is desperate to be anywhere else. The Lethal Weapon actor does not seem impressed by presenter Dean Richards' analysis of his latest film Edge of Darkness and proceeds to break the record for the most amount of annoyed facial expressions during a single interview. Whilst seemingly disinterested in discussing the film things become tense when Richards gets a little too close for comfort by touching upon some of the actors controversial public incidents. Gibson first responds with a manic laugh that wouldn't be out of place in a scene from The Shining and then quickly tries to make light of the topic: "That was four years ago dude, I've moved on. I guess you haven't. I'm sorry." A fifty four year old man using the term "dude" is funny enough but Gibson saves the best for last by waving goodbye and then calling Richards an "asshole" whilst still on air in one of the best deliveries of the word I've ever heard. Classic entertainment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxZRfn2Rgqg
3.) ANN CURRY GUSHES OVER BRAD PITT
This interviewer seems to forget the fact that she is at the Cannes Film Festival and not infact doing a special for Heat Magazine as she releases her inner teenager and flirts uproariously with actor Brad Pitt. To Brad's credit he seems to just want to talk about the film he is representing but instead is offered banal questions about his state of mind and happiness. The most cringe-worthy moment is when the interviewer actually goes over to touch his face and the actor gives her a look as if he wants to throw her overboard. An actor with a shorter temper probably would have done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCEV21xHQks
2.) PARKINSON INTERVIEWS MEG RYAN
In my opinion beloved former chat show host Michael Parkinson has only ever been interesting during his more controversial moments whether it be receiving a verbal beat-down for daring to question and belittle Muhammad Ali's faith or being comically attacked by Rod Hull and his hand puppet Emu. This is a man with no charm, charisma or entertaining qualities who made a career out of asking ordinary, dull questions with an incredibly dry delivery and who always seemed to maintain a grand opinion of himself despite his obvious limitations. This is why I have some sympathy for Meg Ryan during her infamous clash with the chat show host. Being subjected to dreary questions from a smug, self-important old fart probably isn't the most fun to be had in the world and she probably just got annoyed with his bumbling, monotonous drivel. At the same time her hostile, rude behaviour was a little uncalled for and showed her up as both fragile and cold. The funniest moment has to be this cringe-worthy passage as Parkinson boxes the actress into a corner and then gets owned by her quick, witty retort: "You're very weary of me, you're very weary of the interview, you don't like being interviewed, you can see it in the way that you sit and the way that you are.....In other words what would you do if you were me now? "Well just wrap it up." Really this interview did little to show either personality in a good light and was absolutely painful to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWEdi4uf7Eo
1.) BILLY BOB THORNTON PUTS IN AN OSCAR-WORTHY PERFORMANCE AS A GRUMPY TOSSER
Billy Bob Thornton is a great actor and talented screenwriter though seems to take himself far too seriously and has a huge chip on his shoulder over certain issues. From lambasting method actors to aggressively cursing the Hollywood system he always seems intent on trying to be cool and edgy for the sheer sake of it. In this radio interview with Canadian CBC Radio One programme Q the actor turns up clearly intoxicated with his band, The Boxmasters and proceeds to act like a spoilt kid throughout. There is really no excuse for his behaviour in which everyone is being nice and civil and without ego and yet Thornton persists in acting like a Grade A pillock. His band members seem quite happy to promote their tour but what becomes deeply uncomfortable and admittedly funny is Thornton's complete nonchalant answers to host Jian Gohmeshi's exceptionally clear questions: "You guys formed in the last couple of years right?" "I don't know what you're talking about." Things don't get much better on from there as Thornton refuses to co-operate with any of the questions and retains a puzzled, pissed off frown throughout. Fair enough if you're uninspired by the repetitive questioning or don't want to be there, but just have the decency to respect the fact that you're a multi-millionaire whose giving up a bit of time to help promote your own band. The actor's explanations for his actions did little to enlighten his perspective. Apparently he had asked for his movie career not to be mentioned prior to the interview and became annoyed just because he was introduced as an actor. That's like Tony Blair turning up to talk about a fantasy novel he's just completed and expecting not to be introduced as the former Prime Minister. He also directed a bizarre insult at Canadian audiences who he described as "mash potatoes without the gravy." Needless to say the band's tour of Canada did not last long as Thornton persisted in winding up Canadian audiences and his embarrassed band members decided to bail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJWS6qyy7bw That's all for this week's edition of
Film Fail. I hope you enjoyed reading.