Interview (2007/I)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Steve Buscemi

Writers:

Steve Buscemi (screenplay)
Theodor Holman (original screenplay)

Release Date:

10 May 2007 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

Everything you say can and will be used against you

Plot:

After falling out with his editor, a fading political journalist is forced to interview America's most popular soap actress.

Plot Keywords:

Interview | Wound | Secret | Restaurant | Journalist

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Steve Buscemi	...	Pierre Peders
Sienna Miller	...	Katya
Michael Buscemi	...	Robert Peders
Tara Elders	...	Maggie
David Schechter	...	Maitre'd
Molly Griffith	...	Waitress
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Woman at Restaurant
James Villemaire	...	Man at Restaurant
Jackson Loo	...	Fan at Restaurant
Craig muMs Grant	...	Cab Driver (as muMs)
Doc Dougherty	...	Truck Driver
Donna Hanover	...	Commentator
Wayne Wilcox	...	Hunky Actor
Danny Schechter	...	Political Pundit
Philippe Vonlanthen	...	Autograph Seeker #1

Also Known As:

Untitled Steve Buscemi Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA | Canada | Netherlands

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | USA:R | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | France:Unrated | Australia:MA | Ireland:16 | Taiwan:R-18 | Sweden:7 | South Korea:15 | Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Cinemavault Releasing

Trivia:

This is the first part of a trilogy of US-remakes of Theo van Gogh's movies.

Goofs:

Continuity: Right before Pierre asks to use Katya's bathroom, she jumps onto her couch and then fixes her right shoulder strap on the top she is wearing. In the next few scenes, the strap alternates positions.

Quotes:

Katya: Do you realize how many men would kill to be standing as close as you are now?
Pierre Peders: [takes out the recorder] How many?
Katya: Most.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "5 jaar later: (#1.3)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Rubin

Interview Works Amazingly against all Odds

Much more interesting and better done than I expected. I'm usually not an advocate for remakes, but when they are done to honor the original film instead of to simply make money I'm all for it. This one does that and more and is the best remake since The Departed. It works for a long list of reason's, most particularly because of the performances. Buscemi is fantastic as a slime ball and always has been. This is one of his better performances of the last couple of years. He relishes in this character, and it shows. He is funny, and disturbing at the same time. Sienna Miller has been becoming a better and better actress over the last year or so. She deserved an Oscar nomination for her performance in the underrated Factory Girl last year, and deserves another one for Interview. She plays a roll similar to herself, or at least her image. Many people say this is easier, but it actually isn't. It is extremely difficult and very emotionally draining. It is rare to find a performance like this that works so well. She is stunning, and deserves better work. The style of the film is interesting. This is thanks to Buscemi's odd, and very experimental direction. Against the odds it works, and elevates the film above just strong acting. Much of the style can also be attributed to the screenplay. The dialogue and characters are expertly drawn. They also are odd, and occasionally stilted, but that's part of why they work so well. It's been a long time since such a stilted and mediocre script worked so perfectly. Even when I say all this though I must say I did have some problems. While I was consistently entertained the "message", if you will, never quite came across. It is a strong one, and should have been paid more attention too. The director of the original film was a strong advocate for free speech, and stood for many wonderful things. He was murdered in 2004 tragically for offending someone with something he said and believed. This film is obviously channeling his beliefs and I just wish it had either forgotten them, or drawn them a little better. However it still works perfectly as an entertainment, which is after all the point of movies.