So when the opportunity arises to interview Matthew McConaughey, you go for it. And Recess Editor Meg Lawson sure did. But to get to the golden nugget of Matthew-ness, she had to avoid the lame softball questions from other college journalists on the conference call. Here's her best shot at discovering what the hot Texan, whose film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days opens this weekend, is all about. (Also, in case you're interested, the questions Meg asked are bolded and italicized, while the other shmucks' are just bolded.)
On How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
In the midst of all these romantic comedies coming out, what sets yours apart from the rest?
Matthew McConaughey: The funniest part of this is the secret that you, the audience, is in on. You know something I don't know, and you know something she doesn't know, and it's funny being privy to that information and watching our reactions.
[From the only man out of 10 college journalists] I noticed a distinct lack of explosions in this movie, and I was wondering how you'd sell it to the male population?
It is a chick flick, but it's also for guys. That's one of the reasons I got into it 'cause I read the script and said, "Romantic comedies aren't the first ones I run out to see, but I've got an angle on it here where there can be a male point of view, and it'll be more balanced, and guys will be able to dig it."
On his career in general
You've done two short films, do you have any plans to direct full-length films in the future?
I do have plans, but I don't have a timetable as far as when. I am writing something now. My production company - we've just produced our fourth documentary. I don't know if that's what we're always going to do, but it sure is where our interests are now.
You play in both comedies and dramas. Which do you prefer?
It matters where I am in my life. I really like the dramas, [suddenly realizing he's promoting a romantic comedy] but I look at romantic comedies as more like a weekend - they're fun, they're light. Romantic comedies aren't recreating the wheel, if I sit here and say, "Hey, we get together at the end of the movie," I'm really not giving away a big secret.The fun is watching the two people go at it.
Which role in your career challenged you the most?
Well, they're all challenging in different ways. You do something like Contact, Amistad, U-571 or Newton Boys, and there's the responsibility to some part of history through the role you've got to play. There's a blueprint you sort of have to work off of. Then you do something like Reign of Fire, and that's complete fiction - there's no blueprint at all, so you can sort of dream stuff up. With a romantic comedy it's basically human interaction. It's just a guy and a girl kind of going at it, so you can loosen up the dialogue and play with things.
What do you think is some of your best work so far? [warning: heavy sports metaphors ahead]
There are times I feel I've hit it square on the wood, and it's like "boom, man! Pure." There are other times where I go, "Okay, you've fouled that one off." Dazed and Confused was the first thing I ever did, and there was a great innocence going into that. That was a great startâ_| but I know I'm lowering my handicap now. Since EdTV, I think I'm a lot more conscious about what I'm doing, and I'm doing a lot better work.
Do you have a preference between large and small budget films?
One of the reasons I did 13 Conversations and Frailty is because I wanted to get my hands back in the clay and really get that feeling of what it felt like making films in college when you don't have as much money and you don't have as much time. I call it breaking a sweat.
The personal side of Matthew
What do you think about being an object of physical attraction for many women?
Right on!
What made you switch from a pre-law major to a film major?
I wasn't sleeping that well with the idea of spending the next seven years in law school. And I also wasn't sleeping that well with the idea that law was what I wanted to do. It was at a time I was doing a lot of writing, and I just started saying I've got too many ideas and sensibilities that I don't want to put under wraps for the next eight years.
Cool Quotes from sucky questions
On Women: A girl can't be a woman, but a woman can still be a girl.
On Career: I've only had one instance in 24 films that I've lost a little respect for somebody.
On Love: Hey, it ain't always gonna be easy but I'd rather do it with you than with anyone else.
On Set: To be fair, when I'm filming, I don't go out and do anything on school nights. I live on my bus on the lot five or 10 yards from the set.
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