“Debra makes 'Lisa' sweet and likeable, even though her role makes her out to be someone who dumps on Reuben in the worst way. Hank is obviously one of the great comic actors and he can do any kind of voice. Even though 'Claude' is stealing Lisa from Reuben, I need the audience to think that although the situation is horrible, it’s okay because it’s a comedy. And Hank’s character is very sweet and brings a certain humanity to his role," comments writer/director John Hamburg.
How did you get in shape for this role?
HANK AZARIA: That took about seven or eight weeks to get in that kind of shape. Every few years Hollywood asks me to be some version of a naked foreigner, and I'm very happy to oblige.
With very little screen time, how do you make your characters memorable?
HANK AZARIA: I showed my butt. That's how I decided to go.
DEBRA MESSING: I tell everybody, “If nothing else, see the movie so you can see Hank Azaria's ass.” We're both scantily clad at some point. That seems to help. I think it all just came from the script. I think that even the smaller parts were really well defined. They really popped off the page. It was a joy to do.
Can you get a little more specific about the script?
DEBRA MESSING: I guess when I approached my character, I just looked at Ben and Jen's characters because they were the core of the movie. [I was] trying to see what was the function of my character and my function was to have that balance of being a viable choice for him. I didn't want the audience to know the very first second that they saw her, that it was a joke and there was no chance that he would pick her. But [I also tried] making her funny and slightly unlikable so that you would cheer and root for Jennifer's character. We just played around. We did some improv in the rehearsal process. We just found little colors of character that perhaps were not on the page. I think that came from John Hamburg because he really encouraged us to play.
Hank, who did you model your character after?
HANK AZARIA: I just tried to do the most authentic French accent I could and get in the best shape possible, seriously, and just commit to what John wrote. It really is well written and it's a flashy little thing to do, to do this kind of weird, naked guy on the beach. It just seemed really funny. It just was funny so I thought, “Why not?” I just tried to get into the best French accent I could and then we sort of figured out the look of the guy.
DEBRA MESSING: The wig was pretty effective.
HANK AZARIA: I have to say, it came together when they put the wig on me. I didn't have a lot of faith in the wig at first. I mean, to put a blonde wig on my swarthy head - I don't think so. But then it kind of worked. Then they apply body paint to you and all these horribly humiliating things.
Debra, is comedy as challenging as drama?
DEBRA MESSING: I love both. I think that they offer two different kinds of challenges and they feed me in two completely different ways. I love comedy. There is something musical about it. If it's well written, just playing it. Drama just requires something different.
I'm always just looking for a great script. I did a film last summer that was a little more dramatic called “Something Borrowed,” that we shot in London. It's going to be coming out later on in the year. That allowed me to flex some different muscles.
What was life on the set like with the ferret?
HANK AZARIA: That ferret is a hell of an actor. He really is.
DEBRA MESSING: Very cute.
HANK AZARIA: Yeah, handsome ferret. No, you're always relieved when you don't have to work with the animal.
DEBRA MESSING: I've never worked with one. I love animals but I think I'm a little grateful not to have worked with it because from what I understand, he bit Jennifer on the face at some point, or on her lip or something.
HANK AZARIA: Well, so did I, in fairness.
Was Ben Stiller anything like his character, Reuben?
HANK AZARIA: No, he's not that fastidious, although he's very meticulous about his work.
DEBRA MESSING: He's got that perfectionist strain throughout. It was great working with him. Obviously, he's funny, but he's a good man. He's just kind and he's really passionate about what he does. Every day was fun.
HANK AZARIA: He's a very generous, warm guy. It’s always impressive when talented comedians are easy laughers or generous with their laughs. He's like that and always trying to help you make your part of the scene better. He's very unselfish that way.
PAGE 2: Love Scenes, Flippers, and "Garfield"
ADDITIONAL “ALONG CAME POLLY” RESOURCES:
Interview with Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller
"Along Came Polly" Photo Gallery
"Along Came Polly" Trailer, Credits, and Movie News
