Video:The Invention of Lying - Rob Lowe Interview
with Rebecca MurrayWarner Bros Pictures' 'The Invention of Lying' had its US premiere at the historic Grauman's Chinese Theater, and the cast of the comedy turned out to take in the screening. On the red carpet Rob Lowe and Fionnula Flanagan chatted up the film.
Transcript:The Invention of Lying - Rob Lowe Interview
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the US Premiere of Warner Bros Pictures' The Invention of Lying.
Rob Lowe – 'Brad Kessler' in The Invention of Lying
So you play Ricky [Gervais'] rival in this?
Rob Lowe: "I do, indeed."
And how is that to be Ricky's rival? Physically you guys are so matched up.
Rob Lowe: "You know, you always want a worthy adversary, and Ricky Gervais is a worthy adversary. Particularly when you want to be in a comedy, I can't think of anybody better than Ricky."
And as a director he has to be behind the camera, in front of the camera, what was that like for you?
Rob Lowe: "Well, it's funny. As an actor he's full of mirth and he's funny and he's fun, and it's light and you don't even get the sense that you're working. And then as a director, he's very focused and very serious. He's sort of like two different people. And I'd never worked with co-directors, so he would match up with his co-director and they would go and huddle and we would come back and do other takes. It was extraordinary."
That's kind of bizarre.
Rob Lowe: "It was great."
What do you think would be the longest time you could go without telling a lie?
Rob Lowe: "Well, listen, let's face it. I'm in show business. If we didn't lie here, it would be all over with. It'd be back to Starbucks, behind the counter. 'Can I help you with your latte, ma'am?'"
And you'd love it, right?
Rob Lowe: "That I would be good at because I'm a Starbucks fan. I'd be good at that. But as long as we're lying, show business is going to continue."
What sets this comedy apart from every other comedy out there?
Rob Lowe: "It's really smart. It's really smart and Ricky is, in my opinion, at this moment in time the state of the art comedy auteur. And I've been lucky enough to work with some good ones, and he is the 'it' guy."
Fionnula Flanagan – 'Martha Bellison' in The Invention of Lying
So you play Ricky's mother in this and it's all your fault that he starts telling lies, right?
Fionnula Flanagan: "Oh, you always blame the mother. Isn't it dreadful. I play his mom, I do. Yes, his mom."
And how is he as a director?
Fionnula Flanagan: "Well, if you can stop laughing while he's directing, you know? And if he can stop laughing, too. He's very funny, of course, very witty. He's a good director. Very difficult to write it, direct it, be in it, and not be a pain but he was wonderful. He was terrific."