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Interview: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Becomes Hesher

Mali Elfman — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:00:48 +0000

One of the most popular actors working today in both big blockbusters and small indies is Joseph Gordon-Levitt who while promoting his latest indie Hesher spoke to us about creating this interesting, edgy, and if you ask me, f*cked up Jesus-like character for the film. Even though Levitt is extremely sought after right now, director Spencer Susser was not convinced that he was right for the role, so Levitt had to once again proved himself worthy of the role and win over his director in an audition. Find out the story from Levitt’s perspective below…

I’ve never seen you in a role like this before. Were you shocked to be asked?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: At first the director didn’t think I could do it probably for the same reasons you’re talking about. He said, ‘All due respect, he’s a great actor, but I don’t think he can do this character. He’s nothing like that.’ I convinced him to meet me, and so we went and had dinner. It was great meeting him, but he still said, ‘No, he’s nothing like his character. He can’t do it.’ I convinced him to let me audition for him and I changed his mind.

When Hesher first enters TJ’s life, it’s almost an abusive relationship. By the end of the film he ends up caring about what happens with TJ. What do you think happened within Hesher to make him change?

JGL: Oftentimes you have a movie with a big broad character at the center of it, but there’s nothing underneath it and it’s just kind of the same shtick over and over again. But Hesher does have a story, and he does change and he does grow. And, it’s like I was saying before, he mostly spends his time in the present tense and doesn’t attach himself to anything, whether it’s material things or even people. He doesn’t attach himself to people. But I think unintentionally he just ends up feeling a lot of sympathy and empathy for these three people in this family and does develop a connection to them, and does become attached to them and doesn’t necessarily know how to deal with those feelings, but he’s not one to run from his feeling either, so he plows right in.

Then why does he leave?

JGL: Well I think he realizes. You know, I’m not going to tell you why [laughs].

Were you happy there was no big exposition moment where you found out, ‘Oh here’s where Hesher came from and why he’s this way?’

JGL: Yeah, exactly. This movie sort of refuses to submit to any of those Hollywood conventions. I think that’s part of why this movie couldn’t have been made in a corporate Hollywood studio environment because it offends some people. It doesn’t do the, I’ve heard this term – they call it ‘Hero Protection.’ It’s a term that they use in corporate storytelling where the hero has to be protected and stay this pure hero. I think movies like that can be kind of boring.

Because of that, did you do an enormous backstory on your character?

JGL: Yeah, we worked out a lot of about who he maybe used to be, what he had been through, etc. But all of that information is very intentionally not in the story.

Are you doing anything to look physical to prepare? You look very strong.

JGL: Thanks. Yeah. It’s funny, I was actually in much better shape for Inception. I shot Inception right after Hesher, even though Hesher came out later. I got in super good shape to do Inception, but I’m in a suit the whole time. But he had to be in very good shape to do those fight scenes. I wasn’t in nearly as good shape to do Hesher and I was naked the whole time.

For such a dirty, unpredictable character, one of the first things we see him doing is his laundry…

JGL: That’s true, he does do his laundry. I think that he’s always undermining the expectations. I think that’s part of why he calls himself Hesher. I think he kind of gets his jollies surprising people. He calls himself by a stereotype because he’s so counter to any stereotype. I think a lot of people who would see him would assume that they have his number right away, ‘Oh, long hair, boots, dirty…I know who you are,’ but you don’t. I think Hesher is actually quite a thinker and quite a righteous individual in fact, despite his unruly appearance.

Was there ever any conversation about you looking like a fucked up Jesus?

JGL: Umm, eh, it wasn’t something that we were aiming for.

But your look represents it and your character is a kind of messed savior for them…

JGL: You said it. I won’t disagree with you. I think that’s a beautiful interpretation of it.

Why do you think he had such a special connection with the grandmother?

JGL: I think the grandma is really honest, and I think he likes that. Most people really put up a front and I think that Hester spends a lot of time fucking with people and their fronts. But the grandma really wears her heart on her sleeve, and I think he feels a real connection to that.

Any advice from her?

JGL: No, you know, it’s funny. I get asked that a lot about advice. I don’t know about you, but I don’t give anybody advice. And I don’t usually listen to advice when people give me advice. I’m not big on advice.

What part of Hesher resonates with you the most?

JGL: What I like about him is he’s really present. He’s detached himself from a lot of the things that I think we all carry around with us, like our material things, our cars, and our houses, and our clothes, and our this and that. He’s detached himself from the future. We all get wrapped up in like, ‘Oh, what’s going to happen if I do this?’ Or, ‘What’s tomorrow gonna be like? Or what’s five years gonna be like?’ He’s just sort of here and now. You can’t live only that way. Well you can, but you’ll be homeless in a van – and that’s a valid choice, I guess, and I admire him for making that choice. But I think even if you’re not going to live as extremely as Hesher does, to remember the merit in forgetting all those things and just paying attention to what’s going on right now and how you feel at the moment, I think that’s illuminating and I connected with that and I think everybody has some of that in them.

Did he affect the way you think about things?

JGL: Yeah, I mean to a degree. He and I have very different outlooks on life. I enjoy building things and putting things together, and watching them grow.

Like what specifically?

JGL: I run a company. I started a production company and I run it, for example, and that takes a lot of work and time and effort and connection and attachment. But I’m proud of that and I like it. He is different. He has a different view on it. He’s not really concerned with anything like that. He’s just trying to be present all the time.

What about in terms of physical belongings?

JGL: I’m not big on physical belongings. The nicest stuff I have is like, I have a nice room from which I run my production company called The Rec Room, where I’ve got a nice camera and I’ve got nice computers. But I don’t like having nice cars or anything.

As a filmmaker yourself, maybe you can comment on the importance about that final layer of cleaning up a film for an audience? At Sundance I saw the film, and there were a couple of sound issues and little things. It’s all been so cleaned up. I saw it again last week and it made the overall film so much more fun and interesting.

JGL: Filmmaking, on the one hand, needs the raw feeling and story but it’s also and enormous technical feed to have a movie that people can watch and listen to and disappear into without getting interrupted and reminded that they are watching a movie. Especially a movie like this where there aren’t a lot of funds to make that happen. It’s a real challenge and Spencer’s done a great job. Even though it was made on a budget, I think it’s a really well-crafted and technically-accomplished movie.

In recent years you really have built up your career with these incredible independent films but you have been taking on more mainstream, studio projects. Do you think you’ll always go back to independent cinema?

JGL: The important thing is where is the filmmaker coming from. What’s the script. And what are we doing here. It’s not so much about the size of the budget or what studio is behind it. I just hope to keep working with people who inspire me on material, material that inspires me regardless of what platform it’s on.

Check out Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Hesher starting today, May 13th!

Hesher: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:30:10 +0000

This will actually be my second review of Hesher, and I’m back, because with some good edits, a sound remix and some well places music this movie has officially reached the potential that I saw in it back so Sundance 2010 (read first review review). Prepare for the awesome, well acted, original film that is Hesher. Now let’s see where I went wrong before…

The Players:

Directed by: Spencer Susser
Writing: Spencer Susser and David Michôd (screenplay), story by Brian Charles Frank
Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie and actress/producer Natalie Portman
Original Music by: Frank Tetaz (as Francois Tetaz)
Cinematography by: Morgan Susser

The Plot:

Hesher is here until you want him. This is a story about when everything goes wrong and you have no way out, sometimes an unexpected hero shows up at your door, and sometimes that hero comes with homemade tattoos, a rapist-looking van, and a sever violent streak. Let the fun begin!

Comparisons:

Old Review: “Some of these moments were great and others were a little awkward and it was mainly because of the music.”
Update: All these problems have been fixed. And what originally took you out of the film, now brings you in. The music helps with the odd tone and keeping you engaged throughout the film. The sound is perfect, the edit is tight — they’ve made this film the best that it can ever be and it works extremely well.

Old Review: “…it’s pretty basic in a lot of ways and the plot is somewhat predictable.”
Update: Perhaps I said this because of how this film played or perhaps I just had Sundance goggles on, but I can say that on the second viewing this film I found it fresh, original and though it plays out as expected in a way, I enjoyed the ride even more the second time through.

Old Review: “The kid in this movie is absolutely amazing. No doubt about it, he had a big part in front of him with lots of highs and lows and he dealt with it like a pro…. Wilson was completely believable and heart-wrenching.”
Update: This still holds true. Devin Brochu was what first made me like the film, now it’s why I love it. Rain Wilson was and is extraordinary and it’s great to see him tackles such a serious role.

Old Review: “Levitt was as always intriguing and fun to watch. There were some moments where he looked more like a character of himself…”
Update: With the sound fixed and a few edits, his character excels. Yes you have to go with his extreme character, but this time his fucked up Jesus, savior type impression was amazing (and know that I called him that, he’s never admitted to it and you can see in our interview with him) and his parables are ones to live by. Nicely done.

Overall:

This film is a fun ride, it’s got some great acting, it’s well made and well put together, I still don’t by Natalie Portman as “common”, but overall it’s a great pick, well worth your time and if any film has a sequel or spin-off, I hope it’s “On the Road with Hesher”

New Rating: 8.75/10

Hesher hits theaters May 13th!

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Trailer: Hesher Time for Some Rock N’ Roll Baby!

Mali Elfman — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:04:41 +0000

Director Spencer Susser is ready to rock your world, with one of the most bad-ass, hardcore films of the year, Hesher starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie and actress/producer Natalie Portman. The film was bought out at Sundance in 2010 by Newmarket and has taken its sweet time working its way into theaters, maybe it’s because of Natalie Portman’s recent popularity/winning streak but for some reason it’s finally found it’s way in and I for one say fuck yeah. Check out the trailer below…

I was lucky enough to catch this film out at Sundance in 2010 (read review) and all I can say is that sometimes in the midst of death, starvation, homophobia and molestation it’s fun to watch a guy with a tattoo of a guy giving you the finger try to jump a bike into a pool and fall. That’s not to say that this film doesn’t have some heavy moments and some fine acting in it, in fact it’s the intensity and seriousness is what makes it all the more funny and entertaining.

The film isn’t perfect, it’s pretty basic in a lot of ways and has a few problems along the way (which may have been fixed in the new cut), but they’re all small and forgivable mainly because the film is such a fun ride filled with such amazing actors and colorful characters. And this film is 10x better than the majority of mainstream films inundating the cinemas.

The film hits theaters May 13th.

What do you think of the film? Think it’s worth the price of admission?

Newmarket Films buys Hesher

Brendan Walsh — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:23:47 +0000

More sales have been made at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and the latest lucky property is Spencer Susser‘s Hesher. The film about a hippie who forces himself onto an unsuspecting family, has landed a distribution deal from Newmarket Films. An official press release was just sent out announcing the purchase and we’ve got all the details…

From the Press Release:

PARK CITY, UT (January 28, 2010) – Nigel Sinclair and Chris Ball, Co-Chairmen of EMG, today announced Exclusive Media’s Newmarket Films has acquired U.S. rights to the Sundance favorite, HESHER, starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Natalie Portman. The seven figure deal was reached early this morning following an extremely successful screening in Salt Lake City last night, and negotiated by WME Global and CAA on behalf of the film with Chris Ball and John Crye, Head of Acquisitions, on behalf of Newmarket.

Since premiering at the festival last Friday, the film has picked up momentum with the fan boy driven audience who respond to the character of HESHER.

This marks the second film penned by David Michod to receive enormous praise among audiences at Sundance, the other being Animal Kingdom. Check out Screencrave’s Hesher review.

Sundance 2010: Hesher

Mali Elfman — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:45:34 +0000

In the midst of all the meaningful Sundance films, sometimes you just want to watch a guy with a tattoo of a stick figure blowing its head off, making rude jokes about raping grannies. There is nothing life changing about Hesher, it’s pretty basic in a lot of ways and the plot is somewhat predictable, but it’s a really fun ride filled with extremely colorful characters.

The Players:

Director: Spencer Susser
Writers: Spencer Susser, David Michôd, Brian Charles Frank (story)
Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie, Devin Brochu
Cinematography: Morgan Susser:

It’s definitely a departure from a number of actors’ typical roles. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a bad-ass who aggressively confronts or attacks anyone around him, while Rainn Wilson plays it completely straight. He breaks out of his norm and plays a mourning father and has no comedic moments whatsoever.

Just to break it down…

The Good:

Great Acting: The kid in this movie is absolutely amazing. No doubt about it, he had a big part in front of him with lots of highs and lows and he dealt with it like a pro. Levitt was as always intriguing and fun to watch. There were some moments where he looked more like a character of himself, but that has more to do with the one problem I’ll talk about below. Wilson was completely believable and heart-wrenching, and Portman was her usual sweet self. There was a part of me that wanted to see her do a bit more because she’s so good at handling crazy characters, but she did a good job at not over-doing the role and lending her support.
Fun Script: Although the plot is a bit foreseeable, it’s filled with a lot of great dialogue and even more great one liners. It’s a ridiculous premise and because of the tone and the way it’s dealt with, you go with it and find yourself laughing at some of the most idiotic, yet wonderful jokes you’ll ever hear.

The Bad:

Some Lost Moments in Music/Post Production: Aside from some editing errors and the fastest washing machine in the world, there were a few problems with the film’s post production. There were a few moments where it was unclear if you should be laughing or not. Some of these moments were great and others were a little awkward and it was mainly because of the music. It went with the brighter spots in the film but didn’t hit the emotional ones quite right. If this movie gets bought they will definitely need to go back in and add a little more to the score and not just songs. When Levitt appears, his character it thwarted by bad music, and it makes us not believe him from the start.

Overall:

Before the beginning of Hesher, the director Spencer Susser walked out and announced that the film was finished less than 48 hours earlier and that he was rather nervous about it. If this film is purchased (and it by every means should be) it could use a bit more post-production time, a new score, and possibly some sound design. That being said, it’s a fun film and definitely deserves to be spruced up and released in theaters nationwide.

Rating: 7.5/10

Photos:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman in Hesher

Krystal Clark — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:55:53 +0000

Now that the Sundance Film Festival line-up has been announced, a lot of promotional items are being released in support of the films. One of the movies of choice is Hesher, a drama that will premiere next year and co-stars Natalie Portman, Joseph-Gordon-Levitt, and Devin Brochu.

Check out the gallery and synopsis below…

T.J, a 13 year old boy and his Father, both devastated by the tragic loss of the Mother/Wife, are now living with the elderly Grandma. On his way to school one day, T.J has a chance encounter with Hesher, a late 20’s year old with a troubled past. Hesher assumes a role as both mentor and tormentor, leading T.J into troubles he could never have imagined. Nicole, a young grocery clerk trying to make ends meet steps in to protect T.J from a vicious attack, T.J becomes enamored with Nicole, only to have his fantasies destroyed by Hesher. Hesher moves into Grandma’s home, although uninvited, he is somehow accepted.

Hesher is directed by Spencer Susser, and features Gordon-Levitt as the title character, with the elderly grandma being played by screen legend Piper Laurie. Portman co-stars in Hesher as Nicole, and is also listed as one of the film’s producers. The movie definitely has the acting talent, but the plot can be hit or miss. It has a dark undertone, and sounds like it will be told from the perspective of the young boy. I’m getting a Donnie Darko vibe, but without the evil bunny.

Check out the gallery…

What do you think of the photos from Hesher?

Source: Collider

ScreenCrave.com » hesher

Interview: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Becomes Hesher

Related Posts

Hesher: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

Comparisons:

Overall:

New Rating: 8.75/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

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Trailer: Hesher Time for Some Rock N’ Roll Baby!

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Newmarket Films buys Hesher

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Sundance 2010: Hesher

The Players:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 7.5/10

Photos:

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman in Hesher

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