Tyler Perry

Interview: Director Lee Daniels, Star Gabourey Sidibe on ‘Precious’

PatrickMcD — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:15:47 -0700

CHICAGO – One of the most talked about films this year is the Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey backed “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” Essential to the film is Gabourey Sidibe, who plays the title character of Precious.

Precious is the story of an overweight African American teenager in 1987 Harlem, who is about to have her second child. Rejected by almost every element of social order, including her immediate family, Precious is a story of survival in a world where certain people remain invisible.

Gabourey Sidbide as Precious and Paula Patton as Ms. Rain in ‘Precious’
Photo credit: © Lionsgate

During the Chicago International Film Festival in October, HollywoodChicago got to interview Gabourey Sidibe, along with her director Lee Daniels. Both participants in this one-of-a-kind production brought their perspective on the journey of both Precious and themselves.

HollywoodChicago.com: Lee, this is by far one of the hottest and most talked about films of the year. Can you describe the path of the main players that got involved in this film and why it resonated with them so much as to get this film in the mainstream?

Lee Daniels: It was really an angel. Ally Sheedy’s mother gave me the book to read. It blew me away, it rocked my soul, it stuck to me like hot grits. But the author at first wouldn’t give me the rights to the book. I kept stalking her, and she finally gave me the book.

Most of the talent I gave the Geoffrey Fletcher adapted screenplay to already knew the story from the novel. And even if they didn’t, they read the script and it stuck to them in the same way. It all starts with the word. And the word was so powerful that it trickled down to everyone involved in the production.

HC: Gabby, I saw that you had read the novel that the film is based on years before. What was the first thing you felt about Precious in relationship to yourself when you read the script?

Gabourey Sidibe: I felt like I knew her, certainly. I felt like I was related to her, she was a family member, a friend. But Precious is a person I didn’t really want to be a friend with, she had a little too much drama. But I did feel guilty because the point of Precious is that she did feel neglected and ignored. And I’ve been part of the people who have neglected and ignored her. That guilt opened my heart, and I felt so much more compassion for her.

HC: Lee, there were actors in your film playing against their glamorous types to find the truth within the story. Were there any difficulties with these actors – Mo’Nique, Mariah C. and Sherri Shepard in particular – finding these characters because they are so outside their usual lives?

LD: No. Because under it all they are all actors. And they are also very good friends. When you have actors that believe in you, that have really given their spirit to play with, and they trust you, and you trust them, it shows on screen.

They gave me their respect and trust. When actors give you their spirit you owe it back to them.

HC: Gabby, how did you and Mo’Nique – playing Precious’ mother Mary – communicate in your electric scenes together? What connection do you think Precious and Mary have, beyond their very difficult circumstances?

GS: Precious and Mary are enemies in a lot of ways. What people don’t see is that Precious loves her Mother, she is the only Mother that she has ever known. She wants a better life now only for herself, but also for her Mother. While she doesn’t understand all the abuse that Mary has handed to her, she still loves her.

In their apartment, though, they are enemies. Because Precious has never heard a kind word from Mary, she is always getting the worst part of her mother. And that defines the relationship between them on screen.

But Mo’Nique and Gabby have a completely different relationship, because we had to. The scenes between Precious and Mary are so intense, angry and emotional that Mo’Nique and I had to love each other double in order to survive the day. In the film she would throw a frying pan at me, Lee would yell ‘cut,’ and then we would hug. And dance. And sing.

Mo’Nique as Mary in ‘Precious’
Photo credit: © Lionsgate

HC: How important is it to tell stories like this to society in general? What revelations do you think will be communicated in regard to this level of poverty, especially of the spirit, in this subsection of the African American community?

LD: It’s not just the African American community. It is a social economic issue that effects all of the underprivileged. Precious is a universal story, it is through me, an African American filmmaker, that the story is told. But when it was a play on the West End of London, the entire cast was white.

We are all Precious, but it just so happened to be that I stuck to the book’s story. It is important to hit home that the ‘Preciouses” of society are not forgotten. It is important to note that today, unlike the 1987 that the story is told in, that people don’t fall through the cracks like they used to. It is a different world, but there are those that still get away with abuse.

The film is about abuse, but it also is about the will to survive. Also literacy, the power of the word and looking at yourself in the mirror and loving yourself, this is how deep Precious goes.

HC: Gabby, there is so much survival instinct that have to be learned at a young age in Precious’ circumstance. What survival instincts do you have in common with Precious?

GS: I have a lot, I was born in Brooklyn and raised in Harlem in New York. We probably have a lot of the same survival instincts. When Precious first meets Ms. Rain [Paula Patton] she doesn’t trust her at first. She doesn’t believe in trusting people, and that is a very New York instinct. That is something I know – never trust a stranger. I relate that completely back to Precious.

HC: You were involved with Monster’s Ball and now Precious. Both dealt with African American women. Since historically in the race, matriarchs are very high status and responsibility in family structure, how do the stories of Leticia and Precious provide understanding to this very important gender?

LD: I don’t agree that African American women have any different status than any other women. When we were at Sundance, a 70-year old Japanese lady started bawling in my hands, crying. I would have agreed with you about African American women in particular before I did this film, but we have been around the world and the story is about women in general, and their mechanism to survive.

When I started out making this, I thought it was about black women and in the end it changed my view about all women.

HC: Gabby, the facial expressions that you decided on for Precious, the blank mask that defined her, was that a natural expression for you or did you have to find it for the character?

GS: (laughs) We called it the ‘One Face.’ The funny thing is that when I’m bored or in a daydream, it’s a family trait. We purse our lips out like that [demonstrates]. When you’re on a film set, waiting, and Lee saw me through the lens naturally going to that face, he said ‘that’s it, that face!’ And I said what? And he said make that face again. I didn’t want to because it was ugly (laughs). Lee said, ‘it’s not ugly, do it!’ When the rest of my family sees this film, they are going to fall out because it’s a family trait to do that expression.

LD: The expression is honest. Oftentimes I’d let the camera roll after I said cut and then I would try to find the truth in what the girls were doing. When they were just being and then capture it. Then I’d say do that, right now. Because that is the truth, and that’s what I wanted to capture.

Director Lee Daniels, Gabourey Sidibe and Patrick McDonald in Chicago, October 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Lee, what advantages do Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey give to the representation of African American and general American spirit? Is it some ways equal to Barack Obama on another level?

LD: Yes. I would be embarrassed to bring my Mother, for example, to meet Tyler Perry ever, because she would probably jump him, she loves him so much (laughs). She lives for him. He has that effect on black Americans. We idolize him for what he has done, what he has built, with his entertainment empire.

And the same thing with Oprah. Outside of being really sexy, she is just a Goddess, a Goddess that walks on air.

HC: Last Question for Gabby. What do you want Precious to represent for other “Precious” type girls in the poverty and hopelessness areas of cities and towns in this country?

GS: Certainly hope. The thing about Precious is that life keeps throwing things at her and hitting her in the face. But she never lies down. Even the one time it looked like she was going to, Ms. Rain tells her to continue, and she does.

She is a warrior, and her only weapon is hope. Hope for the future, hope for a better life. And she keeps moving toward it. And that is what I want people to take away. You can never count yourself out. Never.

”Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” has a limited release on November 6th. Check local listings for theaters. Featuring Gabourey Sibide, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz, directed by Lee Daniels. Rated “R”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Red Carpet: Hot Film ‘Precious’ Premieres at 2009 Chicago International Film Festival

PatrickMcD — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:39:46 -0600

CHICAGO – Backed by industry giants Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, the new film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” had a red carpet premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 14th.

Walking the red carpet was the transcendent star of Precious, Gabby Sidibe, who portrays the title character. Accompanying her was the director Lee Daniels, an extraordinary creative force of nature.

Also partaking of the film and walking the carpet, the exceptional Chicago character actress Irma P. Hall (”Soul Food,” “The Ladykillers”) and the star of another festival film, the radiant Jossie Thacker.

HollywoodChicago was there, and elicited the following interplay from the participants.

Gabby Sidibe, star of “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire”

‘Precious’ Star: Gabby Sidibe at the Chicago International Film Festival, October 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago: Your character often dreamed of a better life. What was your favorite fantasy sequence in the film to do?

Gabby Sidibe: I think my favorite fantasy scene was the dance number. It took half a day to do it. They built a stage and everything, it looked like a video and it was so amazing. To prepare for it I listened to Beyoncé all day. The dancer guy in the scene, who happened to be my roommate, we had so much fun. And Mo’Nique [who portrayed Precious’ mother] was giving me dance tips, it was just bananas.

HC: So does today’s red carpet equal those fantasy moments?

GS: (thinks about it) Ah, Yeah (laughs), sure it does.

Lee Daniels, Director of “Precious”

NOTE: I did a complete interview with Lee Daniels earlier in the day, to appear when the film releases November 6th. At the session, he challenged me to go deep with my questions, thus explaining my follow-up.

Lee Daniels, Director of ‘Precious,’ at the Chicago International Film Festival, October 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago: What question are you dying for someone to ask you and how would you answer it?

Lee Daniels: Oh, here we go. (To a companion) Baby, I told you about this one.

I think what I’m never asked is about the scene regarding the lesbians in the film. Which I really wasn’t able to hit on because there are so many subject matters in the film – obesity, literacy, self-image and physical-sexual-verbal abuse – what we don’t talk about is how African Americans and people of a certain economic component feel about homosexuality.

I feel the reason is that most of the people who are statistically diagnosed right now with HIV are black American women. It is because so many black men are on the “down-low” and they refuse to be honest. And honesty will set you free.

I believe society and the church have forced the African American man to not be honest. And it’s killing our women.

And that is the question I never get asked, and now you have asked it.

Chicago Actress Irma P. Hall, Star of “Soul Food,” “The Ladykillers”

Chicago Actress Irma P. Hall at the Chicago International Film Festival, October 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: How did you hold up with all those boys [Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayons, J.K. Simmons, Joel and Ethan Coen] in the film, ‘The Ladykillers?’

Irma P. Hall: Just like any boys, they just needed a good whipping (laughs). I know women like Marva. That’s one good thing about being my age, the women that I portray, I’ve known them.

HC: How was it working with Tom Hanks?

IPH: Wonderful. I learned a lot of things. And I learned to do what I do. He said to me, just do what you do, don’t worry about them.

Jossie Thacker, Star of ‘Mississippi Damned’

Mississippi Damned premieres at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 16th.

Jossie Thacker at the Chicago International Film Festival, October 14, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago: Give me a quick summary of ‘Mississippi Damned.’

Jossie Thacker: It’s a story written and directed by Tina Mabry, based on her true-life story. It is the story of three children, and the stories are told through their parent’s eyes. I play one of the mom characters [Charlie]. Tina basically takes a look at the generational curses that have been upon this family – physical abuse, alcoholism – everything you can think of, she has dealt with in her family.

We follow the children’s lives, and she tells the story as if she’s basically looking in the mirror and saying, ‘are you going to make some changes or are you forever going to be damned in Mississippi?’ It’s a choice.

HC: What element of your character did you most connect to?

JT: I’m from Harlem, we’re both from the ‘hood. We both came from limited resources. I was surprised on how much in common we had, it was scary in fact. So it was very easy to connect to her on a basic level. It wasn’t that hard for me.

The Chicago International Film Festival runs until October 22th. Click here for details.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray, DVD Round Up, July 3, 2009: ‘Madea Goes to Jail,’ ‘Spaceballs’

BrianTT — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – The Round-Up is back to provide our loyal readers with synopsis and feature details on a few titles that may have slipped on to DVD or Blu-Ray under your radar but might make the right purchase choice this holiday weekend.

It’s not that these title are any “lesser” than some of the biggies out there (one nearly made $100 million domestically and another is a Mel Brooks classic), but we can’t get around to a full-length review of everything that comes into the HollywoodChicago.com office and we want to keep you as informed as possible.

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” and “Spaceballs” were released on June 16th, 2009.

“The Education of Charlie Banks,” “Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season Two,” and “White Sox Memories” were released on June 30th, 2009.

“The Education of Charlie Banks”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “Charlie Banks’ (Jesse Eisenberg) sheltered world at his Ivy League campus is shaken up when Mick (Jason Ritter), an old acquaintance with a violent past, unexpectedly shows up. Intrigued by Charlie’s privileged lifestyle, the charismatic Mick quickly wins over Charlie’s friends and his crush, Mary (Eva Amurri) as he seamlessly integrates himself into Charlie’s life. Unnerved, yet also in awe of Mick’s easy charm, Charlie’s unresolved feelings of jealousy, admiration and fear - as well as an unspoken secret between the two - threatens to come to a head with ruinous consequences. Marking Fred Durst’s directorial debut, this “evocative coming-of-age story” (Simi Horowitz, Back Stage), also stars Christopher Marquette and Sebastian Stan.”

“The Education of Charlie Banks” stars Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Christopher Marquette, Eva Amurri, Sebastian Stan, and Gloria Votsis. It was written by Peter Elkoff and directed by Fred Durst. It is rated R. The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Surround 5.1 track.

Special features include an audio commentary with Director Fred Durst and Actor Jason Ritter, and “Conversations Behind The Education of Charlie Banks”.

“Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season Two”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “It’s her business doing pleasure with you. The second season of “Secret Diary of a Call Girl,” Showtime’s hit original series based on the real-life adventures of a high-class escort, debuts on DVD from Lionsgate. This witty and provocative show follows the dangerously sexy exploits of “Belle” (real name Hannah Baxter), a 27-year-old graduate living in London, who has worked for the last few years as one of the city’s premiere escorts. She’s an independent, young woman who loves her job. And in season 2 its business as usual for Belle, until her personal life gets in the way. See what happens when a girl who loves for a living, starts living for love.”

“Secret Diary of a Call Girl” stars Billie Piper, Iddo Goldberg, Ashley Madekwe, and Callum Blue. It was created by Lucy Prebble. It is not rated. The show is presented in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 track.

Special features include “Billie on Billie” Interview With Billie Piper and Webisodes.

“Spaceballs” (Blu-Ray)

Photo credit: MGM

Synopsis: “The farce is with you in this “uproarious salute to science fiction” (The Hollywood Reporter) that teams comedy legend Mel Brooks with an all-star cast of cutups including John Candy (Splash), Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters) and Bill Pullman (Ruthless People)! When the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess (Daphne Zuniga), a clueless rogue (Pullman) and a half-man/half-dog creature who’s his own best friend (Candy) set out to stop him! But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they’ll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt (Brooks) and the mystical power of “The Schwartz” to bring peaceand merchandising rightsto the entire galaxy!”

“Spaceballs” stars Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, and Joan Rivers. The film was written by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham and directed by Brooks. It is rated PG. The film is presented in 1080p and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track.

Special features on “Spaceballs” include Commentary by Mel Brooks, Additional Commentary Tracks: Mawgese & Dinkese, Spaceballs: The Documentary featurette, In Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan featurette, John Candy: Comic Spirit featurette, Watch the Movie in Ludicrous Speed featurette, Still Galleries, Trailers, Film Flubs, Storyboards-to-Film Comparison, and a DVD version of the film.

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe couldn’t be happier at Madea’s misfortune. But Madea’s eccentric family members, the Browns, rally behind her, lending their special “country” brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway is on the fast track to career success. He lands a case too personal to handle, defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington, and asks his fiancée and fellow Assistant District Attorney Linda Holmes to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a “motherly” way as only Madea can.”

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” stars Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ion Overman, RonReaco Lee, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Ferlito, and Viola Davis. The film was written and directed by Tyler Perry. It is rated PG-13. The film is presented in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and is accompanied by a Dolby Digital Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include “Madea is Back,” “Leroy Law Brown,” “Looking for the Big House,” “You Have the Right to Remain Silent!,” “Bringing in the Heavy Hitters,” and “Madea’s Crazy”.

“White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History”

Photo credit: Shout Factory

Synopsis: “The south side of Chicago has hosted countless baseball stories and performances for more than a century. It has also been the home for many iconic Windy City ballplayers who ultimately landed in Cooperstown in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Along the way, the team known as the White Sox has entertained its fans with a litany of memorable moments and ballplayers. In White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History, the unforgettable and iconic mesh seamlessly to create the definitive story of what has made the White Sox franchise so magnetic.

From the very beginnings of the American League, pennant winners, Hall of Famers and indelible characters have made baseball on the South Side unforgettable. From the Hitless Wonders to the Go-Go Sox to the masterful collection of men who played Ozzie-ball and brought a World Series title back to Chicago in 2005, there have been numerous and incredible tales of triumph. In White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History, these stories and the tales of the men who wrote them come alive once again.”

“White Sox Memories” is presented in 16:9 widescreen. Bonus footage includes “Postseason Clinchers,” “9th Inning of No-Hitters,” “Jim Thome Milestone,” “Frank Thomas Hometown Hero,” “Tom Paciorek Official MLB Handbook,” “Nancy Faust on TWIB,” and “2009 Sox Spring Training Wireless”.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Pure Summer Entertainment Lives on in J.J. Abrams’ ‘Star Trek’

BrianTT — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:56:58 -0600

CHICAGO – It will be a stunning surprise if the summer of 2009 produces another slice of movie entertainment as satisfying and well-made as J.J. Abrams rollicking “Star Trek” reboot, a film that not only delivers on high expectations but shatters them by clicking on every single level.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

“Star Trek” features a character travelling through time (not a major spoiler…don’t write hate mail) and that’s exactly what writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman and director J.J. Abrams have done with their film, returning to the start but also injecting their own life into a dead franchise.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Star Trek” in our reviews section.

The film opens with an attack on a Federation ship that happens to have among its crew members the man who would be the father of the king of the Trekker world - Kirk. His son James Tiberius is born on an escape pod as his dad crashes into a gigantic Romulan vessel. Years later, a rebellious young Kirk (Chris Pine) is recruited for Starfleet Academy by Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood), a man who knew his father and sees the same leadership skills in the new cadet.

In the blink of an eye, Kirk is aboard the Enterprise and dealing with a universal crisis that could mean the end of Earth. I wouldn’t dare ruin the surprises of this clever script, but Kirk is, naturally, joined by Spock (Zachary Quinto), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), Bones (Karl Urban) and Scotty (Simon Pegg).

‘Star Trek’ stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Winona Ryder, and Tyler Perry. It was written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman and directed by J.J. Abrams. It opens on May 8th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Star Trek” review.

Chekov (Anton Yelchin), James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Bones (Karl Urban), Sulu (John Cho), and Uhura (Zoë Saldana) in "Star Trek."
Photo credit: Paramount

Interview: Five Questions For Craig Robinson of New Film ‘Miss March,’ TV’s ‘The Office’

PatrickMcD — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:53:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Craig Robinson is one busy character actor. Besides his recurring role as Darryl Philbin in the popular NBC show “The Office’, he co-stars in the comedy film “Miss March” (releasing on Friday) as the strangely named Horsedick.MPEG.

HollywoodChicago.com recently had five questions for the talented Mr. Robinson, including a reference to his role in the upcoming sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian”.

HollywoodChicago.com: In playing a broad character like Horsedick.mpeg, what kind of standard do you see in real life rap or hip-hop lifestyle that helps to bring alive such a archetype?

Craig Robinson: We all see the blinged out guys, the entourage, the girls, so that was already built in. But what [writer/directors] Zach [Cregger] and Trevor [Moore] did with this particular character was amp up the ridiculousness of the personality by making him repeat the same thing over and over for an entire song. I really responded to that. He less of a rapper and more of a repeat ‘liner’.

HC: If you were to compare this film to the Wizard of Oz, with the Playboy mansion being Oz, which of the characters would Horsedick be in this film and why?

CR: Horsedick is the Cowardly Lion. He comes off like he’s going to kick some ass, but he’s actually scared of stuff. His whole thing is like he portrays myself through his name, but does the name really define him?

HC: You’ve worked with an interesting variety of TV and film directors. What kind of directing style makes you as an actor most comfortable? For example how is Tyler Perry [”Daddy’s Little Girls”] different than Kevin Smith [”Zach and Miri Make a Porno”]?

CR: I like a ‘hands-on’ person, meaning that if the script is clear and the vision is clear, then I don’t find myself wondering whether or not I’m doing something right. Once I have clarity, then I can add on or bring more in. Some mystery is good, but clarity is what I want.

Tyler Perry is very ‘hands-on,’ throwing out joke after joke. I would then catch it, put in the voice of my character and spit it out. Even after I was finished, he put me in another scene, just because it got a laugh.

Kevin Smith is very laid back. He was like ‘the cast does the magic, I do my thing in the editing room’. He didn’t have to say too much, because he knew what he wanted. He also knew when to challenge me.

HC: You played an stereotypical rapper in Miss March, in the Night at the Museum sequel you are portraying a Tuskegee Airman from that heroic boundary breaking period during World War 2. What do think a Tuskegee air man would say about the portrayal of African American men like Horsedick in the media?

CR: I think they would scoff and say ‘C’mon young brother.’ Get it together, what are you doing? (laughs). But ultimately he would understand that the actor is on his hustle and has to make his money.

Craig Robinson in “The Office”
Photo credit: AP Photo/NBC

HC: One question about “The Office”. I think one of the most fascinating elements is that the creators have chosen to highlight vulnerabilities in even their most heroic characters (like Jim and Pam’s insecurities). How do you feel about that direction in a comedy context and how does that make the show richer?

CR: The show will always have a lot of heart even though it is set in a world where the most outrageous things can happen. I am actually surprised sometimes on how much heart they put in it, balanced with the humor.

The awkward moments, the heart, the humor kind of combines with some real-life situations. They take these issues and mix them up to create the direction of the show.

“Miss March” opens March 13th at area theaters.. It features Craig Robinson, Zach Clegger, Trevor Moore, Raquel Alessi and Hugh Hefner. “The Office” is on NBC-TV Thursdays nights 9pm/8 Central.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com