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 by Peter Clausen
Interview: Actress Leslie Mann has appeared in some of the most influential comedies of the last decade. Recently we had chance to sit down with the charming wife of writer/director Judd Apatow for a little chat about her role in the hit comedy Knocked Up.
Die deutsche Fassung dieses Interviews befindet sich hier. Peter Clausen: What do you think about the film's German title? Do you know what it means?
Leslie Mann: No, I don't. What does it mean?
Peter Clausen: You'd probably translate it around the lines of The First Time.
Leslie Mann: The First Time?
Peter Clausen: And I am not really sure how it relates to the film's content.
Leslie Mann: Maybe the first time she gets pregnant?
Peter Clausen: There's a lot of improv in Knocked Up. How is this different from acting in "normal" movies?
Leslie Mann: It's much more liberating for an actor to be able to improvise and just be lose with the script. Obviously Judd has the guidelines for us to follow, and within a scene there's always a beginning, a middle and an end. And within that we have room to have fun, and play and improvise a bit. But we always need to stick to the story, so that it makes sense at the end of it.
Peter Clausen: So, it's never daunting?
Leslie Mann: Well, we can change words and other little things, but at the end we still stick to the script.
Peter Clausen: So, there is a framework?
Leslie Mann: Right.
Peter Clausen: How did it feel to act with your real-life kids in the movie?
Leslie Mann: They were great! I was so happy, that they were able to it, because I was a little nervous at first. I knew that my husband was directing, so I knew he was not gonna get upset or impatient with them, but they were so comfortable because they were working with people they had grown up with, like Seth. They have known him since they were born, and they have also known Paul since they were very little. They also knew alot of the crew members, so it's all like a big family. And so, they were just doing what their parents and their parents' friends do, and they were very good at it. Thank god!
Peter Clausen: But of course, it's an R-rated movie so...
Leslie Mann: ... They can't see it (laughs). Not until they are eighteen. Unless they sneak in and see it.
Peter Clausen: So, did anyone mind his language when acting with the kids?
Leslie Mann: There is no cursing in any scene the kids are in. We were careful with that.
Peter Clausen: Judd worked out some of his own issues concerning fatherhood while making Knocked Up. Did you learn anything new in regard to the male perspective on pregnancy while making this film?
Leslie Mann: No, but I think he learned a lot about the female perspective. I made it a point to have him show just as much of the female view, as of the male view. I think he did a good job with that.
Peter Clausen: In the beginning of the movie your character isn't always the most understanding person. Do you like playing flawed characters?
Leslie Mann: Yes! It's so much more fun than the sweet girl.
Peter Clausen: And was it difficult to balance Debbie's flaws and vices?
Leslie Mann: I don't know. I hope I did a good job of that. I don't know if I really thought about it at the time, but I think that my character is really sympathetic, and I hope people can understand her struggle.
Peter Clausen: I think the viewer never takes sides. Sometimes the viewer identifies more with Pete, while at other times he feels more sympathetic to Debbie. So, I think it's pretty balanced.
Leslie Mann: That's great! I am glad you said that. From a young man, that's good to hear.  
Peter Clausen: How important is naturalism in comedy?
Leslie Mann: Naturalism in comedy? That's my favourite kind of comedy. We have been talking about Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant a lot...
Peter Clausen: Really? I am such a big fan of those two!
Leslie Mann: We are actually going to meet Stephen Merchant tomorrow in London.
Peter Clausen: You have actually managed to make me really jealous now.
Leslie Mann: (laughing) Oh, that's good then. I am so excited to meet him. And naturalism is really my favourite kind of comedy. I don't like the big, broad comedy as much.
Peter Clausen: Speaking of naturalism, were the arguments between you and Paul Rudd improvised.
Leslie Mann: Only within the framework. We beefed it up a little bit, but the idea of the argument was always set.
Peter Clausen: And did all of these arguments influence the mood on set in any way?
Leslie Mann: No, not the mood on set. But it did influence my feelings towards Paul. That was much different, that it is now. Now we get along really great, but during shooting I couldn't help to be irritated by him because of the dynamic between our characters.
Peter Clausen: One final question - How comfortable did you feel shooting all these scenes with this big "boys club" of actors.
Leslie Mann: Well, one day, when we were shooting the scenes in the hospital. I was out in the waiting room with all the young boys, and there was a lot of talk about bongs and porn. And that was basically it. So see entire day i had to listen to them talking about porn and bongs.
Peter Clausen: So, they were pretty much playing themselves in the film?
Leslie Mann: Yes. While we were rolling it was bongs and porn, and inbetween it was bongs and porn. But they are very sweet, and I have known them since they were very young. I think they are very good boys.
Peter Clausen: Thank you very much for this interview.
Related articles: Interview with Judd Apatow
Interview with Leslie Mann
Interview with Seth Rogen
Interview with Paul Rudd Text Copyright Peter Clausen 2007
Images Copyright Universal |
