Jude Law on "closer" and being named the sexiest man alive

Jude Law on "Closer" and Being Named the Sexiest Man Alive

What do "Closer," "Alfie," "Lemony Snicket's," "I Heart Huckabees," "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," and "The Aviator" all have in common? Jude Law, or as People magazine now refers to him: the 'Sexiest Man Alive.' Sure, he's handsome. And talented? There's no disputing the man has what it takes. Whether it's playing a womanizing cad, saving lives as a dashing pilot, or, as in the case of "Closer," simply playing a flawed human being in search of the ideal love, Law doesn't merely get by on his charm and good looks. No, he seems to get by despite his almost overwhelmingly handsome features. With six movies released in a matter of just a few months, Law's just hoping audiences don't tire of seeing his dashing mug on the big screen.

Jude Law has the distinction of being the only actor I've ever become tongue-tied interviewing.

While asking Law about his work in "Sky Captain," he'd answer my questions and I'd completely space out on what he was talking about. It's the eyes, I swear it is. Even his co-stars say there's something almost hypnotic about him. Speaking to People, Law's "Cold Mountain" love interest Nicole Kidman said, "His warmth is what makes him sexy, and it radiates through his eyes." Thank you Nicole Kidman. I feel vindicated.

Getting back to the topic at hand - Law's role in "Closer" - here's what one of the busiest actors on earth had to say about working on "Closer" and working with director Mike Nichols. Law also provides an update on a potential "Sky Captain" sequel, shares his thoughts on "Alfie," and talks about being labeled the Sexiest Man Alive:

INTERVIEW WITH JUDE LAW ('Dan'):

What about the source material attracted you to this movie? Had you seen the play before working on the film?
I saw the play when Clive [Owen] was in it and I saw it again in the West End. I'd seen Patrick [Marber's] first play, "Dealer's Choice," and I was also a big fan of Patrick's work prior to that with "Alan Partridge" and "The Day Today," and I was just desperate to work with him. Then, to have a call from Mike Nichols who was working on Patrick's script was just a team made in heaven, really.

What did you like about the script?
I liked its honesty. I liked the fact that there was such a condensed arc of a journey for each and everyone, that there was an opportunity for each and everyone to show just about everything - vulnerability, strength, anger, innocence, cynicisms. And I just liked the words. I think the words walk a very, very fine line of being at times, being very much sort of very, very dramatic and other times unbelievably realistic. Personally, to me that's what it's all about - great words. I like great writing, and it was clear that this was great writing.

Would you say these characters are a little vicious?
I don't think that theyˇre vicious. What you underestimate is what you donˇt see. Itˇs a condensed version of four years in these people lives. In between these moments of falling in love and splitting up, thereˇs an awful lot of, as we all experience, happiness and joy and you canˇt underestimate that. Itˇs an amalgamation of the high points, the dramas of life. I remember Mike describing [it] once and I think if you do look back say 10 years ago, you talk about a relationship, you say, ¨Well, yeah, I met her at this garden party and anyway, four years later we split up.〃 You donˇt necessarily go through that whole four years of memories, how you met, how they split up. So I think to call them vicious is very unfair unless, indeed, weˇre all vicious, which maybe we are.

Your character sets up Clive Owenˇs character, Larry. Isnˇt it vicious the way he traps Larry?
Iˇm not saying theyˇre not vicious. Iˇm just saying that just to accuse them of being vicious and nothing else is not [fair]. Theyˇre not just vicious people. There are vicious acts, indeed.

So why do you think he does that?
Itˇs certainly not malicious. He doesnˇt know who this guy is. He does it as a whim.

Is he trying to embarrass Julia Robertsˇ character?
I think itˇs fate playing evil tricks. I think itˇs as simple as him passing time, and itˇs very clear that this woman is on his mind. He dips into what he knows about, which is her name and her haunts and her interests.

What were rehearsals like?
It was an opportunity to get to know each other, really. There were a lot of conversations that kind of came out of the script that sort of branched off. It was a process of learning to understand the piece, understand Mike's overall view of the piece, understand each other's opinions, stirring questions, share experiences, listen to music.