"Happythankyoumoreplease" actress Malin Akerman attends the A-List Art & Soul Center at the Sundance Film Festival 2010 at the Sky Lounge Penthouse in Park City, Utah on January 23, 2010 photo: celebrity resource
Many of you know bubbly, blond actress Malin Akerman as the star of many successful comedies like “Couples Retreat” and “27 Dresses.” But get ready to see an all new and different side of Malin in “Happythankyoumoreplease” as she takes on the role of Annie, a lady living in NYC, stricken with alopecia, but also looking for love. Just last week, I got the chance to sit down with Malin and discuss what is was like for her to transform into this complicated character (including shaving off her eyebrows), why she wants to tackle the role of Smurfette, and who is on her wish list to work with next.
RCR: What was it like coming on board with “Happythankyoumoreplesase” and what was your creative process like?
MA: I read the script and Josh (Radnor-the director) had offered me a different role in the film. And I loved the script, but the role he had offered me I felt like it was something I had done before, and so I said no, thank you. And then a couple weeks later, I hear that the woman who was supposed to play my role, had to drop out for specific reasons, and I just said to my agent, please let me meet Josh and let me try to convince him to hire me for this role. So I flew to NYC to meet him for a day, we sat for about 4 hours and read through the scenes. He asked a few questions and he asked me honestly if I could pull it off. And I answered him and said yes I think I can absolutely! And inside I was dying because I had no idea if I could do it or not. But I wanted the challenge. And then the journey began. He offered me the role and we started working together. He really helped me out through a lot of rehearsals and just finding the spirit of the woman who he based this character upon. He loosed based it on a friend of his who has alopecia areata. So we went through the whole process of shaving the eyebrows off and really becoming the character.
RCR: Was shaving your eyebrows off hard for you?
MA: No, it was actually the opposite-it was really liberating. It was really amazing-I loved it. I think that is the fun part about my job. We get to be chameleons and our bodies are our tools and we use them however we need to and this kind of stuff is what I live for. I love just transforming and this was really amazing and I just fell in love with Annie my character. I kind of miss her. I see it on screen now and say Aw! That such a great time! She was such a beautiful person and such a complex woman. You know living in the world as a bald woman has its complexities, has its obstacles. And also when you are looking for love, you don’t want to settle for something that you think is less that you deserve just because you are a bald woman. So it was interesting and amazing and beautiful and she is such a free spirit and such a ray of sunshine, so it was really an amazing character, an amazing journey, and a great cast. And we all just loved each other and it was a big love fest, so it was really amazing.
RCR: What was the biggest challenge for you in taking on this role?
MA: Everything. It really was a challenging role because she is so well written and she is such a big part of the film. I did not want to let Josh down because this is his baby and it deserved all of the passion. There was a lot of pressure in bringing her to life and I know that this character was very dear to him as well. And I haven’t done a lot of complex roles-I have done a lot of comedy. This was my chance to prove to myself and to the world that I can do something a little bit deeper and a little bit more exciting as an actor. Cate Blanchett once said, “If you are afraid of a role, that’s the role you should do.” And that was this for me.
RCR: You had to face your fear.
MA: It was my fear, yeah. You have just got to face it and challenge yourself. And then see what happens!
RCR: At Sundance, are you going to be able to see any other films?
MA: Yes! I absolutely want to! I am trying to get tickets, so if you have any…..”Jack Goes Boating.” And I want to see “Hesher.” I have some time off tomorrow, so I will go around and see if I can get tickets from scalpers!
RCR: It is awards season right now, so what is your favorite part of awards seasons and what is your least favorite part of awards season?
MA: My favorite part is watching the awards. It’s always great shows and performances and just celebrating people who have done really great films. My least favorite part is that it gets a bit hectic on the streets of LA. The traffic gets stopped even more so that it usually does.
RCR: You have fantastic Red Carpet style. Is there anybody else who you think has great Red Carpet style?
MA: Thank you! I am a fan of people who are a little bit risky. I love Tilda Swinton. She rocks it and it is really different. Her and Cate Blanchett are my favorites. And Cate has an edge to her-she has her own style, it is very unique, but she always looks so classy. Those women inspire me to find something that has a bit of an edge. Whether it is shoes, or some sort of detail, or a really cool piece of jewelry that is just edgy.
RCR: If you could see any classic TV show or movie remade, what would that be?
MA: “The Smurfs.” And I would be Smurfette. That woman gets some action! Did you see how many Smurfs there are?
RCR: You are hilarious! Where are we going to see you next?
MA: I am going to start shooting this project with a great group of people like Ed Helms and Rob Corddry and Rob Heubel. We are doing this thing called “Children’s Hospital.” It is a spoof on all the hospital shows and they are webisodes that Adult Swim picked up. So we are going to do 13 episodes for them. So we start with them in February.
RCR: So back to comedy?
MA: Yes, back to comedy for a minute. And then we will see. I would love to work with John Ortiz! I am a big fan of his. And maybe even doing a play? I would love to venture into that world.
RCR: So you would think about doing live theater?
MA: Yes. That is another big fear of mine. And it is one of my biggest. So I am getting ready to face that one.
RCR: Best of luck with that, Malin. Thank you so much!
MA: Your are welcome. Take care!
