Star Interviews
Russell Brand talks about Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Q: Did you work out in advance, given that the script required beach wear?
A: I tried to get a bit more fit, but I'm not naturally given to flying about sans gear. I'm more comfortable in clothing. But I was quite happy to do it, as the script did justify visible nipples.
Q: How much were you playing yourself?
A: It's similar in a way to me, because, "ooh, I'm an alcoholic, I like to have it off." But that's just stuff you're saying. Jason Segel is more or less like the character he plays in the film. Kristen Bell is more or less like she is in the film. Generally speaking, you're kind of playing someone like yourself.
Q: How much licence did you have with your own dialogue?
A: Loads. You ad lib. One of the great things about working on Judd Apatow's films is that they encourage spontaneity and ad-libbing, and they give you as much room as you need to improvise. Bill Kerr, the editor of the film, told me that many of the lines I was most proud of when I finally saw the edit were only ever said once. Like one character asks me, "Did you get a chance to listen to my CD?" and I say, "Oh yeah, I was going to do that, but then I just carried on living my life." I said that once, and every time we did it I did another line, to keep myself interested - but not in a Robert Downey Jr way. I got little digs in about Noel and Liam Gallagher, another time I mentioned Morrissey.
Q: Does it help to have done lots of stand-up?
A: Yes, because it means I'm more confident with spontaneity. When I do stand-up shows, I tend to improvise for the first hour, so I'm comfortable in that situation. Stand-up is the core of what I do, and I will always return to it. I've always been very grateful to have something that's not contingent on other people, particularly when I was unemployable. With stand-up, you can go and do it above a pub. You don't need anyone else to be complicit. Stand-up provides a good schooling.
Q: Given that you haven't been working in films very long, were you nervous on set?
A: On the first day of filming, when there were 150 extras and a massive crew, I was very nervous - because I had to sing. I can sing, but that's not what I'd naturally choose to do, so I was well scared that day. But then I think, "God, you've done harder things than this, you've performed before the Queen, and none of these people are royal."
We were on location for two weeks prior to principal photography. I went to the drama centre for three years, it was a good school, Paul Bettany, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Tara Fitzgerald went there, a good, proper Method acting school. I knew that my character was meant to be aloof and disengaged from reality, so I worked on that in improvisation, and ideas I suggested stayed in the film.
It was absolutely vital to be natural. Because of the context, it was really clear what the tone of the film was, from the audition onwards. It was evident that they didn't want gooning clownery, and I was trained as actor, so I knew what was required of me. On television, my priorities were always to interrupt the monotony of televisual language.
When I came into the audition, dressed preposterously, they thought a mentally ill person had kicked the door down. In terms of acting, that was a tremendous relief, not to have the baggage.
It was always my intention to act. I auditioned for Peep Show years ago, when I was still a junkie. I would love to continue a career combining films and stand-up - like Richard Pryor. That's the next stage of my career, touch wood, all being well and good.
I'm doing another film with Judd Apatow, me in the lead with Jonah Hill, and I'm doing another film with Adam Sandler at the moment. Michael Winterbottom and I have written the first draft of My Booky Wook. Filmy-Wilm doesn't work so well, does it? I won't be bossing him about, he obviously knows best. I just want to make sure that film is funny, because a lot of the things in the book are a bit sad.
Q: Did Hollywood people get you?
A: They did. Because I conform to a particular archetype, they were totally ready for it. Because of the way I dress, that has resonance - they think it's like the cultural uniform of the 1960s, like the Stones, and Beatles, and the hippy movement, all from Britain - and then because of our literary history, and the Dickensian manner of my vernacular is appealing and familiar to them.
What I like about America is that if you're good at stand-up, you're laughing. They want stand-up comedians to be movie stars - Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Woody Allen - and that's what happens to you. That doesn't happen to you here. But I love this country, I love doing telly and radio, and my cat lives here. I don't think he wants to move though.
Q: How's your love life these days?
A: I'm a single gentleman. It's more in keeping with my lifestyle.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is on general release now.
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