Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Q&A with Gerard Butler and {#Movie Review} of #playingforkeeps



About:

On Friday, December 7th, Film District will present PLAYING FOR KEEPS, a romantic comedy that tells the story of a former sports star who's fallen on hard times and starts coaching his son's soccer team in an attempt to get his life together. The film stars Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Judy Greer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid and introduces Noah Lomax.

Englisha romantic comedy about a charming, down-on-his luck former soccer star (Butler) who returns home to put his life back together. Looking for a way to rebuild his relationship with his son, he gets roped into coaching the boy’s soccer team. But his attempts to finally become an “adult” are met with hilarious challenges from the attractive “soccer moms” who pursue him at every turn. "Playing For Keeps" is directed by Gabriele Muccino, the director of "The Pursuit of Happyness."


Gerard Butler in Playing for Keeps, the movie will hit theatres December 7, 2012.


Spanish/EspanolEn la tierna comedia romántica “Playing For Keeps”, George Dryer (Gerard Butler) es un hombre que alguna vez fue una superestrella del fútbol europeo, y que ahora viaja a la apacible Virginia para tratar de empezar de cero… Pero lo único que encontrará es una serie de nuevas complicaciones. Con el objetivo de establecer un vínculo con su hijo, a quien apenas conoce, y cambiar su comportamiento inconstante de estrella caprichosa, George acepta, a regañadientes, entrenar a un equipo de fútbol infantil. Sin embargo, vuelve a ser el centro de atención cuando se encuentra frente a una versión suburbana de las admiradoras que siempre enloquecieron por él: ¡las mamás de los niños del equipo de fútbol! Pero por más confundido que lo deje toda esa renovada atención –incluida la del padre de uno de los niños del equipo, que lo presiona para que sea su nuevo mejor amigo– George está decidido a hacer las cosas bien esta vez.

Our Founder and Editor, Tracy from Ascending Butterfly and Rosy from Accidental Sexiness had the opportunity to interview Gerard Butler while he was wrapping up his Press Junket for his new movie, Playing for Keeps while in Miami, Florida! He tells us all about the movie and his character George Dryer. We asked our readers to give us one question they would like for us to ask Gerard Butler about his new movie and we took one reader question that replied to our post (congrats to ‘Big Happy Buddha’ we used your question too!) and we also took one question from a Twitter follower (congrats to @ChristyLundber1 we used your question), here is the interview transcript: (I was going to post the audio file but it’s a compressed version and the conference call had to be re-initiated more than once so I thought a transcript might be easier for everyone):

Couldn't resist using this picture since I got to interview Gerard via Conference Call!

Transcript of Questions and Answers with Gerard Butler:

Question from Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: Welcome to Miami! What have you been doing while in Miami?

Gerard Butler:  I haven’t really had the opportunity to do an awful lot because I came in last night and we had a meal at the hotel which was actually fun because by the time we left every table met every table which had become five big tables which was nice, and this morning I woke up early and went for a walk along the beach and it was perfect, the weather is so incredible right now! I’m actually thinking that I really like Miami, usually I visit Miami and it’s always for some Festival or it’s New Years  or it’s Art | Basel, or the music festival or something you know and I’ve got to say I much prefer it like this, when there’s nothing going on, the vibe is just great.

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: I Agree!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -Tracy, Ascending Butterfly:  If you could reboot any one area of your life and start over, which would it be?

Gerard Butler:  My Gosh! If I could reboot any area of my life that would maybe be my love life. I kind of wonder maybe if I should have settled down a little bit earlier but that’s a tough one because I enjoy the path that I’ve taken, but sometimes I wonder what would have been different if I settled down earlier you know maybe had a family earlier, that might have been an interesting path to take. That’s a good question, but I try not to think like that too much. I like to try and live without regret. Whatever happens, happens for a reason, even if I do take the wrong path often it turns out that it happened for a reason and it will be shown to me in the future.

Tracy, Ascending Butterfly:  Thanks, that’s true!

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: So in the film your character George is an ex-footballer, and a playboy, so I imagine that he is pretty ‘rough around the edges’, so how does he take to being tested by these ‘soccer moms’ and these ‘desperate housewives’ types?

Gerard Butler:  (Laughs) I think this is what is charming and hilarious about this movie! George has lived a life being very much in the spotlight, the center of attention and he’s excited by that and is still tempted by that, for a moment in the movie he feels the respect and the excitement around him and that’s kind of tantalizing to him. But overall this time he’s really trying his best to grow up and move away from that and to move more towards the responsible elements of life, being committed, being a father, you know actually turning up on time and becoming reliable. And yet, this is the time where that attention that he gets is NOT what he wants, it just gets in the way, it’s temping at times but in the end, he’s just trying to be a good guy, but there are so many obstacles there’s horny women, there’s frustrated women, there’s clawing women and they all want a piece of him, even the men want a piece of him! The men want to be him, the women just want him! I think that it’s hard for him to deal with, he’s not just holding his center, one of his main problems is, it’s not just he himself is any way dark, it’s just more that he’s a bit of a kid, he doesn’t know how to say no or set his boundaries. That’s what he learns as the movie goes on, what’s important.


Jessica Biel, Noah Lomax and Gerard Butler in the movie Playing for Keeps

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: Yeah, because at first I wondered whether the central relationship was going to be between George and his son or whether it was George, Stacy and the son but it seems like it’s a little bit of each and then maybe his relationship with himself?


Jessica Biel and Gerard Butler in the movie Playing for Keeps

Gerard Butler:  Yeah, that’s a good point. That’s actually why I love this movie  because there are many different things, there is a man struggling with himself and his own vision of what a man should be and his understanding of what it takes to be a man and a father. And the one hand learning what that is and to actually be that. And there is him re-kindling his love with his wife, or his ex-wife and being given that second chance by  her. And having to look back in the past and seeing all these years that were wasted because of his own selfishness and childishness. And then there’s the relationship with his son as well, there is this kid that looks up to this man who is his father and his hero, who he missed out having all these years as he makes an attempt to re-establish this relationship where he goes wrong, what he gets right, and finally the son starts to look up to him. All these really interesting scenes and parts of the story that are on the one hand touching and moving and on top of that there’s the hilarious consequences that goes on of the man who is really trying to do the right thing and who is being pulled in so many different directions by what everybody else wants for themselves.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -Tracy, Ascending Butterfly:  One of my readers asked How far would you go to win a lady’s heart? (Congrats Big Happy Buddha, this is YOUR question to Gerard!)

Gerard Butler:  Um (laughter), I mean what do you say to that? (All of us laugh), In the one hand you don’t really want to make fool of yourself, you don’t want this lady kind of looking at you like ‘all right you’re an idiot’ but at the same time of being amazed of what when you put in that bit of effort and you do something which takes a lot of effort, you know requires big sacrifice in your life, requires a certain amount if risk or imagination even, how much that can win somebody over. When it comes to relationships in my life and a funny thing I did in my last relationship, what I did, which I will not go into but I did something that was simply drastic and weird. I’ve got to say that as I was doing it and I was in the middle of it, I was like “OK this is drastic and weird! What am I doing?” but in the end it seemed to work it’s magic. (all laugh)

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: I don’t think you need to go very far  cause there’s plenty of Latinas here in Miami that would love to have you Gerard! (All Laugh)

Gerard Butler:  I guess I’m in the right place then! (Rosy Laughs)

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness:  So there’s a lot of other really talented people in this film you’re working with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quad, how do they all play into George’s life?

Gerard Butler:  You know here’s a bunch of people who all have their own wants and wishes, there are people that are frustrated there are people that are bored, there are people who are lonely and George comes into this town like a hurricane like a tornado and just plays havoc with their lives! George is an opportunity for so many people, he’s an opportunity for sex, he’s an opportunity for company, he’s an opportunity for inspiration, and they all look to him for that. And it’s just very funny to see what each of them are willing to do to get what they want in their own life. Yet at the same time you can identify with all of them because they’ve all been there in their own different ways. You understand why they’re doing what they’re doing and you understand why George is doing what he’s doing but at the same time when you throw that all in a pot it all just makes a pretty hilarious plot, because everywhere he turns there is someone practically bribing him with job opportunities or turning up at his work or you know running on the soccer field and hugging him and you know or on his way home they will break into his house and jump onto his bed (laughs). George is just thinking ‘Why Can’t I just eat my burger and go to bed I mean Jesus!’ (All Laugh) That is what I love about the story, it’s very relatable, it’s very universal. You can identify with each of these characters in many different ways and yet can conceive and identify with them in an emotional way and you can identify with them in a very funny way as well.


Gerard Butler and Noah Lomax in the movie Playing for Keeps

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Tracy, Ascending Butterfly:  What about the dynamic with Noah Lomax, how was it playing a Dad? (Congratulations @ChristyLundber1, we asked Gerard your question!)

Gerard Butler:  I really enjoyed playing a dad I feel like I am still such a kid myself, I’m very young at heart suddenly when you have a kid that is more than like three or four years old you are like ‘holy shit what I am doing here’, but at the same time I spent a lot of time with Noah and I hit it off with him like straight away, he is the cutest kid, the smartest kid, he’s very talented. I knew he was going to break hearts in this movie and he’s really going to help the film, and we had a blast from day one. I would have him by my side when we did scenes together and he melted my heart and became my little buddy. When I look at this kid it makes me think I know I would be a good dad and wow I would love to be his dad!

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: I don’t get a last question? (she laughs) Thank You Sorry, I just wanted to know about what you plan to do with the remainder of your time in Miami because you were a staple at Art | Basel recently and about the whole Latina thing, would you be open to having a relationship with a Latina?

Gerard Butler:  Yes I would. I love Latinas! Whenever someone would describe my kind of woman they often describe Latinas, like taller, dark hair, dark skin, and not that I do have one specific type but a lot of my girlfriends have been more like that so when you come to Miami there’s plenty of Latina woman around and I love their energy, their spice and they’re fire! And when I’ve done the interviews here today almost everyone that has come in they’re all beautiful and they’re all so nice and fun, great sense of humor and a great ability to laugh at themselves and they all just made this job really easy for me. I would not be adverse, but I have to be careful what I say, I don’t want to get in trouble. (all laugh)

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness: Are you sticking around for Art | Basel?

Gerard Butler:  No. I’m not. I’ve got to tell you I got so hounded by the Paparazzi last year that it kind of threw me off for a bit and I thought I’d take a years break. They did a good job of messing that one up. But I’ve got to say that being here when there is NOT an event going on is really nice I really like the energy of this place! It’s just chill.

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness:  I’m really glad that you were able to come back and have more of a positive experience!

Gerard Butler:  Thank You.

Rosy, Accidental Sexiness:  And thank you for your time and good luck with the film.

Gerard Butler:  Thank you I appreciate it, and have a great day!

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  YouTube: www.youtube.com/playingforkeepsmovie
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Like www.facebook.com/playingforkeepsmovie
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Follow: @playingforkeeps Tweet: #Playingforkeeps
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Pin: http://pinterest.com/pinningforkeeps/

My Take:

I greatly enjoyed having the opportunity to interview Gerard Butler for Ascending Butterfly! He is as charming and personable in person as he is on screen!

While Romantic Comedies can often be easily dismissed for the predictability of their plot lines, the theme 'What do really want'? and 'What are you playing for'? are hugely relatable, at some point we all hit a crossroads in our life. Whether it's a personal, professional or spiritual crossroads we all question where we are in our lives. We all thrive to grow and change, it's the journey while we are on the way to that destination that makes up our life, the sum total of all of our experiences, including the obstacles in our path comprise both who AND what we are.

Is Gerard Butler playing himself in Playing for Keeps? Go see it and sound off on what you think here!

So Butterfly, What are YOU Playing for? What do you REALLY want?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received, I attended a Press Screening of the film and interviewed Gerard Butler during his Press Junket. All opinions are 100% my own.

3 comments:

  1. I can't believe you asked gerard my ques.I think he has a boyish smile.
    I'll check this movie!
    Thank's for using my question.

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    Replies
    1. @Big Happy Buddha - Congrats! We did use your question, and I have a feeling it was the most unique question asked of him during his junket for this movie! :)

      ♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

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  2. It is so cool you got to interview him. I like romantic comedies in general but this movie just wasn't making me excited when I read other reviews. Somehow reading your interview and article has made me really want to see it now! <3 Thanks!

    ReplyDelete