Clive Owen

Interview By: Dan Portnoy

DanielPortnoy@TheCinemaSource.com

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The addition of Clive Owen to the list of British actors who have seized the spotlight in Hollywood has come as a pleasant surprise to most. Many may have noticed him appear in Robert Altman’s Gosford Park or Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity taking on a couple of minor roles. Recently, Mr. Owen has become one of the industries most sought after actors. With his performances in Closer and Sin City, his position has been secured as one of the screens most powerful and intriguing actors today. In his new film, Derailed, Owen takes the reigns as the film’s protagonist and displays his acting prowess once again in this dramatic thriller.

In the film, Owen plays Charles Schine, a business executive with a life that’s nothing to write home about (of course excluding the fact that he is married to Deanna, played by the captivating Melissa George). But wouldn’t you know it, Charles wants something more and it isn’t until he meets Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Aniston) that he is able to find an answer to that something. From the instant attraction, the two begin an affair and decide one night to meet in a shady motel room. Unfortunately for them some highly unpleasant people, headed up by the malevolent Philippe Laroche (Vincent Cassel), find out about their lover’s tryst and begin to blackmail the conspicuous couple. It is now up to Charles and Lucinda to gain the upper hand on their blackmailers and save the lives and reputations of their families.

Owen read the Derailed script and was immediately captivated by it. However, he was unfamiliar with the work of the film’s director, Swedish filmmaker Mikael Håfström. “I was sent his film Evil and was completely blown away by it. I think Mike was a great choice for this film because it is a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns…Mike was so clever and nuanced and subtle…the thing about his films is that they’re always so psychologically clear…and I thought that was very important for a film like this.” Whatever questionable feelings Owen had about the film before, were

alleviated and thus the production of the noir-esc thriller began.

But of course there needed to be a talented female to play the co-starring role of Lucinda Harris. But who? “I was thrilled when Mike said he was going after Jennifer for the part. I’m always a huge fan of the ones that make it look incredibly easy and Jennifer is as good as it gets.” That’s right folks, Jennifer Aniston, one of America’s favorite Friends was going to join the cast. Aniston who is primarily recognizable from her roles in comedy and romance takes on a different kind of romance in Derailed, one with a much darker side.

The on screen chemistry between the Owen and Aniston was something that really gave the film many of its positive elements. When two actors or characters never “click,” the story suffers and you’re stuck checking your watch for the film’s duration. But with Clive and Jennifer, this was never the case. Unfortunately, in the film the attraction between the two leads to a love that comes with a price. “These are two people, there’s a strong mutual attraction, they know they shouldn’t go to the hotel room but they do, they’re fallible, flawed human beings who fall for each other, a terrible thing happens and there’s huge consequences.” Huge consequences, you’re not kidding. Being blackmailed by dangerous criminals isn’t my idea of a minor consequence, especially when the actors playing the criminals really nail their parts.

Newcomers to film, RZA and Xibit, were among the list of actors in this film who rose to the occasion. Surprising it may seem, but when people branch off into different facets of the entertainment industry the transition is not always so smooth. “I think sometimes when people cross over from the music business into movies it can be a little bit gimmicky, but I think in both RZA’s and Xibit’s case they both deliver fantastic performances, it’s the real deal.” Take it from Clive Owen people, he knows of what he speaks.

In many of Owen’s recent films, his character has usually been the one setting things off. That is, everything that occurs in the

story comes as a result of an action preformed by his character. In Derailed however, the circumstances are quite different. “There was definitely something attractive about playing a very reactive part as opposed to somebody who drives that narrative forward.” In this film, Owen’s character is thrown into this highly difficult situation and forced to adapt and react to his surroundings and his blackmailers. “It always struck me as similar to those old Hitchcock movies about people thrown into nightmare worlds where everything isn’t quite as it seems. And for the film to be convincing and work you have to be in that nightmare and it’s all about reacting as opposed to driving it and I was excited about that challenge.”

I want to change gears for a moment and discuss something that may have been traveling through the grape vine at one point. Many of you may have heard that there were some rumors going around that Clive Owen was to be the next James Bond. Sure he may have been on the list and sure deep down he may even have wanted the part, but at this point in his career it’s really the last thing on his mind. “I wasn’t disappointed at all, there was a lot of media speculation and there was never an official offer. I’ve sort of put myself out of the frame by taking a number of movies that go into next year. They’re all very different, they’re all with very exciting people and I’m having the time of my career.” Tell me about it, not only is he having a good time but audiences around the world are enjoying watching him work.

Speaking of enjoyment, there is talk of a Sin City 2 in the works. Now I wonder, can we expect the return of Dwight the trigger happy smoothie with a new face, portrayed by Mr. Owen? “I was a huge fan of Sin City 1…it was one of the most groundbreaking and exciting movies I’ve been a part of.” Well, that doesn’t really give much away about what’s in store for Frank Miller’s Sin City. I guess he’s going

to let us figure this one out for ourselves. Don’t worry, we still have some time; with his upcoming year already packed, Clive Owen won’t be going away any time soon.