Interview By: Bruce Bluett
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For most of us, the image of Pierce Brosnan is defined by his suave, debonair, and frankly, Bond-like characteristics. Such a statement is understandable considering the lasting and immense popularity of James Bond, as well as Brosnan's superb portrayal of the role. However hard pressed we may become to broaden our Brosnan horizons, Laws of Attraction will now be with us as a reminder of Brosnan's talent and range. Playing the role of Daniel Rafferty, the disheveled but genuine divorce lawyer, will be his first venture into romantic-comedy since his days on eighties television. As distant as that feels, Laws of Attraction will be Julianne Moore's inaugural romantic-comedy experience. Brosnan recalls his initial fears on diving into untested waters.
'There is a certain apprehension. Before any job you're nervous, some more than others. In this particular case, we (Brosnan & Pierce) weren't sure if we were going to have chemistry. We didn't know each other. I liked her a lot, and I had a great respect for her work. But you're never sure if the timing is going to be right. If you get tight on comedy, the door closes on you pretty fast. You can't fudge it like a drama. So, you have to be light on your toes'have the agility of dialogue and the alacrity of thought'.
Even though the beginning mood may have been tentative, the end result was a positive, funny, and heartfelt film in which Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore both shine.
'We haven't seen Julianne in this kind of mode before, and it's been a long time since I've done this work. Probably Remington Steele was the last time I've done light comedy. We had the most wonderful summer; it was a walk in the park. I'd love to do it again with her. She's a fine woman, great actress, there is no fuss, and she gets on with the job'it's easy', said Brosnan.
As for himself, Brosnan notes the differences between his character and his public image.
'Your perception of me is Bond, and that's huge and overshadows a lot. It was a joy to do this character, Daniel Rafferty. I took from Pete Howitt, who is an actor and would have really loved to play Daniel Rafferty himself if he wasn't directing it', he admits. 'We were very blessed with getting Peter Howitt'.
Brosnan noted that he based his character after his director, Peter Howitt. However, he may never have had the chance if a series of events didn't take place.
'This project was something that which came about because one day I was in the office and I said, 'I want to do a romantic comedy, and I want to do it in Los Angeles and sleep in my own bed'. A couple of months later one of the girls found Laws of Attraction. It was originally set in L.A., and then we moved it to New York. And when we put the picture together we financed it through Ireland. We were going in one direction with one fellow, and it all fell apart. So, I thought it was going to go down the tubes, and Peter Howard came in. Suddenly these characters, which were rather brittle and had cynicism, had warmth. It was kind of an old fashioned tip of the hat to Tracy and Hepburn, which was what we were trying to get in the first place'.
A good portion of Laws of Attraction takes place in Brosnan's native Ireland. The setting creates a romantic atmosphere on screen as well as complimenting Brosnan and Moore themselves. Ireland is quickly becoming a flourishing nation and Brosnan spoke about the turns the country has taken.
'With healthy economics come more people, more progress, roads, and buildings. It's a tiny land with the most majestic countryside. So you see that being ripped apart...it's always difficult. I love Ireland, and it wasn't even my idea to film in Ireland. I wanted to film this movie in New York. I love New York. We had a great success there with The Thomas Crown Affair, and I wanted to bookend it with a lighter romantic film. Suddenly there was a financial meeting one morning and somebody said we should go to Ireland. Next thing is, were going to Ireland. I'm very proud of the film and that it went there'.
After watching Brosnan jump off the screen as the witty and passionate Daniel Rafferty you can' help but see the difference between this and his other noted roles'and I think you know the four letter word I am talking about.
'I'm not James Bond, I wish I was James Bond. I play James Bond, but my life is more like Daniel Rafferty's life. My life is more of a comedy on a day-to-day basis. It's interesting how you create images for yourself. I suppose I must have wished it, and wanted it. I suppose that when I set sail here twenty years ago with Remington Steele that has kind of stuck. Before I did Remington Steele , Bob Butler who directed the first one said, 'We're doing an old comedy here'. I loved the movies of Carey Grant, and Spencer Tracy was one of my favorite actors. So, I looked at a lot of those movies about five weeks before doing the show. Maybe something stuck'.
No Pierce Brosnan interview can go without a question as to the next Bond project. There has been some controversy as to whether Brosnan will return as James Bond. When asked if he had any recommendations for another actor to fill his shoes Brosnan responded,
'I do not. There are really good guys out there. You know, you here Jude Law's name mentioned'and Jude is fantastic and wonderful. Also Hugh Jackman, and Clive Owen, they are all very fine actors. It's really not my job to go selling any of these guys. And I have no idea what is going to happen. It's an interesting situation. The 'family' knows how to put on a good show, and they've been doing it for many years. They always build in the publicity, and 'Is he coming back' Who's going to be it (James Bond)''. As far as I was concerned, I had honored my contract; they invited me back, and now there seems to be a sense of paralysis and confusion'oddly enough in the middle of negotiations'.
We may be in the dark on that particular aspect of Pierce Brosnan's career, but all else is alive and well. As the head of his own production company, Irish DreamTime, Brosnan has no trouble finding projects to keep him occupied. While being the executive producer and star of Laws of Attraction may seem like a feat in itself, the real treat is watching Brosnan and Moore on the screen together. Catch Laws of Attraction in theatres on April 30th!
BruceBluett@TheCinemaSource.com
