Chris Klein
Interview By: Jennifer Krieger
JenniferKrieger@TheCinemaSource.com
*Click Here For Another Interview with Chris Klein
Chris Klein is the unassumingly handsome young actor who seemed to appear out of nowhere and is fast on the way to becoming a major star. After proving his charisma in comedies, Election, American Pie and Say It Isn't So, Klein has made the leap to drama (no, Here on Earth doesn't count). His performance in the compelling and intense United States of Leland has been getting buzz, and may just prove Klein has it in him to be more then a pretty face. We got the chance to chat with him about the challenges of his newest role and his plans for the future.
Since Chris Klein first emerged on the big screen as amiable, handsome Paul Metzler in Election, he seemed destined to play the winning jock, the charismatic, goofy guy who coasts along on looks and charm. He's the ultimate 'guy's guy' who the ladies just happen to adore as well, and Klein was able to portray such bemused surprise with his own good fortune that he never came off us smug. Yet, movies like American Pie and Rollerball have not required his big, handsome face to register complex emotions and nuanced moods and Klein, who describes himself as 'focused and competitive,' an actor who 'loves his job' and tries to be 'material driven when choosing roles' was obviously thirsting for a more challenging role. He found it in The United States of Leland.
In The United States of Leland Klein plays Allen Harris, a high school senior who 'has his whole life planned', until one act of violence 'slips that solid foundation.' Allen's reaction to that is an act, not of 'revenge', as Klein firmly asserts, but of uncharacteristic violence. When asked whether he was 'shocked by what his character does' Klein admits that 'yes, you don't expect him to take that turn,' but that was also part of the reason he choose the role; he saw it as a chance to explore the concept that 'all of us are capable (of violence)' While Klein, himself speaks of a happy, functional family life, he admits he was 'a bit shy of the film at the beginning' because he had never dealt with some of the themes (extreme grief, death of a family member) in his own life. Yet he was able to work with Director Mathew Ryan Hoge and tap into 'levels of loss and confusion' within himself, explore the turmoil behind the placid surface. Similarly, Klein describes how the film itself is a constant exploration of what lies beneath the 'suburban manicured lawn reality'.
Everything is not how it seems is an appropriate mantra for Klein. The popular story of his success was that he stumbled into the business, got lucky and got famous. But Klein refutes that, asserting he 'always dreamed of being an actor', and recalls that it was in a fourth grade play that he realized 'the stage, the spotlight, (that was) right where I wanted to be.'. He admits he 'has a lot to be thankful for,' but also insists that '(fame) wasn't handed to me on a silver platter.' He is a highly driven young man who, having just turned twenty-five, is beginning to look for roles that challenge him and his audience perception of him.
The United States of Leland is a challenging and though-provoking film. Many critics have deemed it incendiary, but all agree that the work of the young cast is outstanding. Made on a shoe-string budget, the success of the ensemble was the result of how 'everybody came together with the same purpose of building Mathew's vision.' All the young actors, Klein included were determined to explore, unflinchingly, thorny questions about human nature and 'what we, as humans, are capable of' and the result is a stunningly affecting piece.
Yet, while Klein enjoyed the challenge of such an unsettling movie and complex character, he seemed slightly relieved to be able to veer back to comedy for his next role in the movie The Long Weekend. 'It's a pretty funny ride' says Klein. As for the arc of his career, Klein speaks of 'wanting to find new challenges,' and shows an athletes determination for staying in the Hollywood game. 'It's not a sprint, it's an endurance race,' he says, and 'I want to stay focused, remember why I'm here.' He doesn't take for granted the success that he's achieved, and describes acting as 'a process of continual growth.' 'Your life changes with every character you do,' Klein claims. Klein's ease with reporters, his stamina and his drive are all the qualities of the major star he believes he will become. The United States of Leland brings him one step away from teeny-bopper dreamboat and one step closer to a bonafide star. Whether he emerges in the next few years as a major actor is truly up to Klein himself, he's proved he can do drama, now it's up to him to seek out the roles that will make him a star. And he's ready, focused and driven-a runner just starting a race that he's pretty damn sure he can win.
