Having spent the last few years in the limelight for her singing talents and now with her busy acting career, Moore’s own life could be considered comparable in many ways to her onscreen character. But according to Mandy Moore, her own life is much closer to normal than Anna’s. Despite her fame, Moore is managing to keep her personal life under control.
With her role as the President’s daughter, Mandy Moore gets her first chance at starring in a romantic comedy. Director Andy Cadiff has nothing but praise for Moore’s ability to carry off both the romantic and humorous sides of her character. “We needed someone who brought a sense of innocence and exuberance to the role, as well as sophistication, and Mandy has all of that in spades,” says Cadiff.
INTERVIEW WITH MANDY MOORE (‘Anna’):
Were you instrumental in casting Matthew Goode?
I don’t want to say I was instrumental at all. I put in my 2 cents because we did a couple of tests with five or six guys, and nobody told me I had to kiss them all. It’s like, “Hi, I’m Mandy,” and then we’d jump into the kiss. It was awkward for me because the script wasn’t finished. I’m reading it and then I’m kissing these random boys. But Matthew is just an unbelievable actor and he’s obviously gorgeous, and so charming with that English sense of humor. He just makes you melt. Right off the bat, I thought I’d put my 2 cents in for him.
Is a sense of humor in a man something that turns you on?
It’s very essential. Who doesn’t want to laugh in life? A nice smile and making you laugh is a big turn on.
Matthew said he thought he didn’t get the part because he missed your mouth and kissed your cheek during the audition.
Oh God, I don’t remember that. I have a boyfriend so all of that just goes right in one ear and out the other (laughing). To be quite honest, you’re not anticipating or thinking about it when it’s happening because it’s such an awkward moment.
Matthew also said riding that little bike around in the movie was awkward. He said his knees were up to his ears.
We’re both pretty tall people and so putting both of us on that little Vespa was a little awkward. It was a bit embarrassing.
Was that your most embarrassing moment from filming?
Here’s my most embarrassing moment: I’m shooting the scene in the Oval Office and I’m storming in and all upset at my dad. I’m very close with my parents. They’re on set with me, visiting. I wasn’t satisfied with the scene yet, and nobody told me that they took Mark [Harmon] out and put my real dad in the executive chair. When I walk in, his chair isn’t facing me and when I got to the desk after ranting and raving, he turned around. It took me a good five seconds [to realize] that it was my real dad. I thought, “Oh my God, it’s my real dad!” Everyone started laughing at me, and I was kind of in shock, but then I started laughing too. But I was so embarrassed yelling at my dad.
How was your experience filming in Venice? Did you have any crazy adventures?
It’s funny, when you’re on location and have a craving for something and can’t get it, you only want it all the more. For some reason, peanut butter isn’t popular in Venice, Italy. My best friend was visiting and was there with me the whole time, and we scoured the city for peanut butter and couldn’t find it. We said we’d take a peanut butter cup, peanut butter ice cream…anything.
I didn’t get into any crazy adventures because we worked so much. I worked longer and harder on this film than I have on anything in the past. When I was finished with the movie, I was just taxed for a couple of weeks. We shot in so many locations in Venice and Prague that I thought I was playing tourist. We were playing tourist in the film so I was allowed to sit and gawk at the architecture [and] run and play with the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square.
It was really beautiful in Venice because a lot of what we shot was at night. Our hotel was right outside of St. Mark’s Square and we’d walk in the square at 4 or 5 in the morning. There’s nobody there when the sun is coming up. I just remember that. I took a picture of that with my friend because it was so peaceful and gorgeous. I thought I’d never have that moment again for the rest of my life. I started to appreciate those little things in life more.
PAGE 2: Mandy Moore on Nude Scenes and Being a Role Model
ADDITIONAL “CHASING LIBERTY” RESOURCES:
Matthew Goode Interview
Interview with Jeremy Piven
"Chasing Liberty" Photo Gallery
"Chasing Liberty” Trailer, Credits and Movie News
