Jake Gyllenhaal - as actors we need 'to give people a little bit of a rest from what's going on in their lives.' And WDW in The Monster!!

September's issue of Interview magazine reached the shelves today in the US and, in a classic case of never mind the answers what about the questions, I have been fascinated by Jake Gyllenhaal's enigmatic interrogation of Natalie Portman, an actress he knows well. Some of the interview we have seen previewed before, but in the additional section, there is a quote that made me sit up in my Legal Seafoods seat. This quote of Jake's may well be in my top 5, my top 2 quotes even.


'Well, I think for the Prince of Persia, I just practiced ass-kicking ... [Portman laughs] But I do think that it's the job of an artist to not just mimic but also empathize - and in that process of empathizing give people a little bit of a rest from what's going on in their lives. And I think that's only possible when the artist, as a person, is really connecting with what's happening in the world. That's something that I can definitely see in your work. I also think that part of the job is to give people a break from the amazingly hard work that they all do. People need to laugh, people need to have fun, and so I think that's the real work. As an actor, you're taking yourself way too seriously if you're like "I'm only going to make films about the current state of the world,"'


If ever I have a quote sewn on my pillow it'll be that one - even if I need a really big pillow, it'll be worth every stitch.


Elsewhere in the interview and previously unquoted: 'The irony I've found in traveling for work is that meeting people and learning about their experiences has often been more interesting to me than even the work itself. I mean, at best, we actors have the opportunity to meet people who are doing real things, and then we get to tell a story that incorporates elements of their lives, and I think that is incredibly important. But, ultimately, what I've found in my life - what I feel gives life some meaning - are the experiences that I've had when I've done research for roles.'


And Jake's response to Natalie calling Jake 'a very special man'? 'You think so? Thank you. That's very nice.'

Today has been a very special day for me. Why? Because I sat in the Green Monster, that's why! From there, I could see Jake's view of the Park, seeing the graffiti in the monster, seen the marks ('They're never called dents', said the guide) from the home run balls and had a feel for what it's like when the Red Sox belt them out to the far reaches of the Park. The guide told us always to wear a glove in the Monster and he listed off the injuries to fingers, hands and heads as people stretch for the ball in the passion of the moment - just remember Jake on the Conan O'Brien Show.




The view from the Monster...


And in the Monster.



I know little about the Red Sox or Fenway but seeing the old wooden seats, that clank like anything when they're lowered and raised, seeing the one red seat amongst a sea of green for that famous shot from the 1940s (knocking out a guy in a straw hat - warning to you, Jake - don't wear hats) and sitting in the Budweiser bar right at the top with a perfect view of the Monster and each and every base, I swear I've almost converted from cricket. I may even start using baseball terms to describe cricket. Whatever happened, I will now wear my Red Sox hat, bought at Fenway, with GyllenPride.


Pictures from IHJ and Red Sox fan WDW.