Video:Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - Breckin Meyer Interview
with Rebecca MurrayBreckin Meyer stars as Matthew McConaughey's brother in the romantic comedy with a spirited twist, 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.' In this interview from the film's premiere, Meyer talks about connecting with his onscreen brother.
Transcript:Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - Breckin Meyer Interview
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the World Premiere of New Line Cinema's Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.
Breckin Meyer - 'Paul' in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Playing Matthew's brother – do you feel like Matthew's brother? You guys get along like brothers?Breckin Meyer: "I do, actually. Matthew and I had a lot of similarities in our upbringing and whatnot. He grew up in Houston. I spent a lot of time when I was a kid… He grew up in Austin, I'm sorry. I spent a lot of time in Houston as a kid. My dad worked for Exxon at the time. So when we met he felt like kin. We got along very well. When you're with somebody from where you grew up, like Texas where an accent is there, it comes out even more when you're together. So just at the screen test when I first met him he's like, 'How you doin'?' I'm like, 'I'm good.' It was just like, 'Oh god, he's going to think I'm mocking him.'"
What do you think about the twist in this of the ghosts that come back? This is something different for a romantic comedy.
Breckin Meyer: "I think it's a fun twist on the romantic comedy formula. I think Lucas and Moore did a real neat twist on it. It's fun to go back and the idea that you can go back and see what a jerk you were or what a sweetheart you were, I think it would help a lot of people."
If a girlfriend came back to haunt you would she be telling you that you were a big jerk growing up?
Breckin Meyer: "If a girl came back to haunt me, first of all I'd be very sad that she was dead, because obviously she's dead. I'd wonder how she died. I'd hope I had nothing to do with it, because I've got some skeletons. But, if she came back, I honestly… People have been asking about the worst break-ups and stuff like that, and I think I topped it by the way. Mine may be the worst break-up story in the history of the world."
You've got to tell it.
Breckin Meyer: "It's R-rated. I can't really give it – it's so R-rated. It's okay to do R-rated on About.com? Okay, here's the thing: if you ever catch your present girlfriend at a sex shop with her two ex-boyfriends and they're testing massagers, she's not the right girl for you. Don't bring her home to mom because she's the devil."
Did you have a clue?
Breckin Meyer: "I didn't know she was the devil until I caught her in a sex shop with her two ex-boyfriends. News at 11 – Breckin dates whores!"
So actually it would be better for you to go back and be the ghost in a relationship?
Breckin Meyer: "I'd love to go back and be the ghost and go, 'You suck! You're a terrible person. You're an awful individual.'"
Everyone keeps telling me that Mark Waters is the best director in the world. What sets him apart?
Breckin Meyer: "A lot of directors have a lot of energy, which is fantastic. And then a lot of directors have hours and hours worth of preparation. They know exactly what they want. And Mark is all of them. Movie shoots are a lot of fun and they do get long. It's 3am, you're in makeup which feels weird if you're not used to wearing makeup all day long. And to look over and Mark is out of his director's chair, hopping around, loving what he does, it's contagious. It's absolutely infectious. It's like a really good swine flu. Mark Waters is the best version of swine flu. So to have him be so upbeat and loving his work, and he loves working with actors. He's just great. He really is just fantastic. I met him years and years and years ago on other projects and I've just always enjoyed him. I was so glad I got to work with him."
Did you participate in his ping pong tournaments because he said he had them?
Breckin Meyer: "No, I did not participate. I'm over ping pong. Key parties are what I'm into now. Heavy, heavy key parties. No, I'm kidding."
What do you have next?
Breckin Meyer: "I'm doing a new show – writing, producing and actually starring in a new show with my partner, Ryan Phillippe. Can't really say the name or the network yet, sorry to say."
Or a synopsis?
Breckin Meyer: "No. I have that awesome time where it's maybe two days where I actually can't say. Look at that! Maybe I'm in the next Twilight. Maybe I'm the next Batman. You don't know. Deal with it About.com."