Getting Into Character: Steve Carell says no character comes naturally, but this one was fun to get into. “On the page I was really intrigued by the character and it just was something I wanted to play. I didn’t really know whether I could or not, or whether I’d be right for it necessarily, but I felt like I understood the depths of clinical depression that this guy had sort of fallen into. I think that everyone can sort of relate to that. I don’t think you necessarily have to have felt that sort of depression to emphasize with it or to get a sense for what that must feel like.”
Relating to Rejection: Steve Carell’s character is going through the toughest time in his life and has to deal with rejection on multiple levels in Little Miss Sunshine. As an actor/comedian, rejection is something Carell can relate to - after being turned down for roles every so often. Carell laughed, “Every so often? How about 20 years of it? But it’s also [that] you can become kind of numb from the rejection as well. I think that’s something that happens with actors quite often is that you just start to expect it and anticipate it.
In terms of this, I just thought about the personal rejections I’ve encountered in my life and the disappointments. Everyone has had those moments where you just feel hopeless and self-pitying and sorrowful, and you feel like there really is no light at the end of the tunnel. Frankly, I just went through this with my brother. Two of my brothers have now lost their wives and I’ve gone through these periods of time with both of them where this is how they feel. It is just abject depression. There seems to be nothing left.”
How does Carell overcome that feeling of depression? “I think it’s a matter of time and I really think it’s a day-to-day thing,” said Carell. “In terms of them, that’s what I’ve seen. It’s an evolution and a process. In terms of this character, it will be time. The fact that he is able to slightly connect with this extended family helps him see a glimmer of life. The one thing I like about the movie, too, is that it’s not…I don’t think it’s clichéd, overly precious or overly sentimental. I don’t think the message of the film is that everyone is going to be happy completely and love each other forever and ever. I feel there is a lot of grey area. But, I feel there is a feeling of hope at the end of the movie. And there is for him, for my character there is a light. There is something to live for. There is a seed of something, and that’s what I liked about it. It’s not like a complete turnaround for anybody. It’s just a step in a process.”
At What Point is Depression Fodder for Comedy?: “Well, it’s interesting that the movie starts at these very graphic images. When the title of a movie appears onscreen is when you first see my character who is just post suicide attempt. I think that juxtaposition of this title Little Miss Sunshine and this face that couldn’t be more opposite than that, that to me is funny. I don’t think you are laughing at these people. I think you are laughing in consideration of them. And, in a sense, what I enjoy doing in the movie and why I enjoyed being a part of it was that I think the acting was fairly real and fairly organic. I think it’s funnier because of that. When you get a sense that these are living characters and not these overly created situations, you start to care and be involved.
I think they always say, ‘Tragedy – comedy is tragedy plus time.’ Which is sort of true. Maybe comedy is tragedy without that much time. There are definitely dark scenes within the movie. Frankly, my brother and his wife, some of the hardest most emotional moments have other moments within them of release and levity and are comedic in a certain sense, because they are ridiculous when butted up against the most tragic, most depressing things in the world. I think they definitely go together.”
Page 2: Working with Toni Collette, His Career, and Upcoming Projects
