Love, life and the relationship tribulations that surround them are the focus of Hollywood's latest dramedy, The Last Kiss. The film has an all-star cast that dips into both ends of the age spectrum. Yet, as the film reveals, even with disparity in age, there remains in each of us a common thread of ageless imperfection and uncertainty at what to do next. The headliners of the cast are Zach Braff and OC it-girl Rachel Bilson, making her grand entrance into the movie business with the film. recess Film Editor Janet Wu recently joined Bilson in a roundtable discussion to chat about the cheating boyfriends, mid-life crises and maybe sneak in a question about Adam Brody.
recess: Why choose The Last Kiss as the debut of your film?
Rachel Bilson: Actually, I'm just fortunate to be part of it. It was such an amazing group of people-such a great ensemble cast-and I was a huge Zach Braff fan after Garden State. But to be able to work with him was a treat for me and I really wanted to wait and take it very seriously for my first movie from television. I feel like I've been lucky.
r: Do you feel that this movie is bringing the midlife crisis down from the 40s to the 30s and close to the 20s?
RB: Oh gosh, I guess if you put it that way. Maybe--I think that the transition into turning 30 has become a little bit harder then 40. Thirty is the new 40, I guess, in that way.
r: How your character in The Last Kiss differ from Summer on The OC? Were you worried that people wouldn't be able to separate you from your character on the show?
RB: That was why I really loved this role. [Kim] is different and more grown-up and much different from Summer. Kim's in college and I feel like where she and Summer are the same in the sense that they are pretty much both go-getters. Kim just seems older. She has more adult situations to deal with.
r: What do you think you'll feel like when you turn 30?
RB:I just thought I would throw a big party. That'll be my next turn to have a big blowout, so I look forward to it.
r: How would you say your character evolves in the movie?
RB: I really like that [she] is going through a minitransition as well. I think all the characters in the movie go through this and it was nice to play a character like that. It was nice to play a character that is on-screen for that amount of time but shows that much.
r: Music plays such a big role on The OC. Is music important as an invisible character on movies or TV shows?
RB: Definitely. Music really makes you feel certain things and when a song is in a movie and you hear it again, it brings you right back into that movie. It can be really powerful. You think about songs like the song from Titanic and you'll always cry. You know what I mean? So yeah, music is really important.
r: How was making the adjustment in your background in theater and TV to your first full-length feature film. What was different and what did you like better?
RB: It was so much fun. You get more time to work on the work in movies because it's the only time you're going to do it and then the character's gone and the movie is done and you'll never do that again. So that was nice to be able to have that time to really perfect it.
r: How was the chemistry different in the movie from the chemistry in The OC?
RB: In movies, you want things to be as natural and realistic as possible while in television you get away with more broad and extreme manners and interactions. In a movie you really want it to come across as real life.
r: Was it helpful and comforting to work with Zach Braff and other actors with a lot of movie experience?
RB: I just think it was really helpful to work with a talented actor who was so fun to play off and made the scenes so much more fun and natural.
r: What was it like working with Director Tony Goldwyn?
RB: Tony Goldwyn is amazing. He's an actor as well and to have that on the other side of the camera is kind of special because he's such a hands-on director and really so much interested in what you're doing, what you're going through and what you need to get there. So, to have him on your side was really helpful and he really spent time with me to get me where I needed to go.
He was really supportive and inspirational. And this whole situation about being realistic and to show relationships at such a true distance, [in the film] you can really look into relationships and feel what they're going through and relate to the fights and feelings.
r: In the film Zach Braff's character has an affair with your character. Do you think that true monogamy is even possible?
RB: I think it's definitely possible as long as you're in the right spot in your life to commit to that. I think it's definitely possible.
r: The Last Kiss is so centered on relations and the troubles that come with them. Were you able to identify with your character or any of the other characters?
RB: I haven't had to deal with the issues really. I mean, maybe from the other end, I have had boyfriends that have cheated so in that sense, I have.
r: So who's a better kisser: Adam Brody or Zach Braff?
RB: Ooh. I'll never tell.
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