On how to fall in love
ANUJ KUMAR
|
FILMMAKER What is a perfect date? "Hitch," releasing today, shows the way, says director Andy Tennant in this interview.
|
Photo : R. V. Moorthy
Dating: Andy Tennant's approach is fresh and light-hearted.
A clean entertainer that captures dating in a bright, new, light-hearted style, Hitch opened to not-so-rave reviews but houseful shows in the U.S.
Director Andy Tennant and Sony Pictures must hope it will draw similar crowds when the film hits Indian theatres today.
Could the film's acceptance by the masses be a reflection of the religious fervour holding sway in the United States, post 9/11?
"No, it has nothing to do with religion. Yes, post 9/11, there is an attempt to portray the happy side of life.
We have enough of bad news. Dating could get horribly perverse in the States, but we wanted to capture the romantic side. Emotional intimacy need not necessarily be construed as sexual intimacy. The trend is something similar to what happened during the days of the Depression in the 1930s. Some of the best comedies were made during that period," says Andy, on a visit to India.
The film features Will Smith in his first romantic comedy as Alex `Hitch' Hitchens, a `date doctor' who prescribes ways of winning over the perfect date without the traditional prerequisites of money and good looks. However, the doctor gets clumsy when it comes to handling his own date, Sara, played by Eva Mendes. It is such moments rather than structure that characterise Hitch.
"Indeed they do. In fact, it's a collection of some of the funniest set pieces on dating. We wanted to be ahead of the audience, because we thought the audience knows so much about dating that they will fill the gaps themselves."
Racial bias
Still, a black American advising white men how to fall in love... Hollywood has gone beyond racial prejudices before, but never allowed a black man to get so personal. "I have made a colour-blind film.
Here a black American dates a Cuban American, but nobody is concerned about the colour of the protagonists. I was a bit apprehensive. I am glad people are loving it."
It is something that adds to the film's global appeal, and Andy is optimistic it will do well in different parts of the world. "People can relate to the concept. Most people get clumsy before the girl they love. I did."
Another thing that is atypical to Hollywood is the script full of imagery. Profound lines like `life is not about the number of breaths you take.
It's about moments that take your breath away'... `She wants the real you. She just doesn't want it all at once' have hardly found space in romantic comedies.
This has remained Andy's strong point - bringing the human side to the fore in romantic comedies. He has done it before in Sweet Home Alabama and Ever After.
Hitch is a more focused reflection of his strength. "It was a conscious effort. Will - one of the producers - and I worked on it, making the moments funny and smart at the same time, bringing in the finesse. With so many films on dating, there was no point telling the story in the same old way."
Here Andy's acting talent in theatre and films comes in handy. He has done smallish roles in films like Grease and 1941.
"There are directors who are incredible shooters like Scorsese, and there are filmmakers who believe in performance and the motion happening right here," says Andy, making an imaginary frame with his hands.
This, however, doesn't mean Hitch is devoid of colour. It captures some of the best locations in New York suited for dating, hardly seen before.
"It is more of a nostalgic look at New York. I dated and fell in love at some of these places."
He is also on a kind of holiday trip with his family, visiting places like Agra and Jaipur.
Bollywood
Ask him about his take on Bollywood and Andy pleads ignorance. "I want to see Bride and Prejudice but I have no time. Not that I am busy with my cinema. These days my kids don't allow me to see anything beyond Shrek-2 and The Incredibles. I haven't seen any serious Hollywood film as well." Of late, Hollywood is rewarding films that touch emotions that are global.
Choosing a Million Dollar Baby, a story to which audiences from any part of the world can relate, over an Aviator, which essentially captures the American ethos. It is Andy's opinion that "world cinema" has to become popular. "It's time ideologies make way for human emotions." At the same time he denies this is as an attempt by Hollywood to swallow regional cinemas. "When I made Ever After, they dubbed me as European. Commerce, this and creativity should be seen as different entities. I have extensively shot in Thailand for Anna and the King. I want to make a film in China. Someday I might shoot a film in India as well."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
