Mena Suvari returns to the big screen and to the comedy genre this week with her new movie The Knot.
The Knot is penned by Noel Clarke and sees Suvari star alongside Talulah Riley and Clarke himself.
I caught up with the actress to chat about the new movie, her character and what she has coming up.
- The Knot has just opened in UK cinemas so can you tell me a little bit about the movie?
The Knot is Noel Clarke's new film and it is a romantic comedy. It centres around a couple who are about to get married and all of the antics that you think could occur and things that could go wrong leading up to that event.
I play a bridesmaid who is really into the groom. And we had a lot of fun making the film.
- You take on the role of Sarah in the film so what was it about the character and Noel Clarke's script that really drew you to the project?
I am a huge fan of Noel and I like the type of films that he has done and I think that he is a hugely talented individual.
The way that he writes his projects and stars in them and directs and produces them is very impressive.
I really liked the idea of him thinking of me for this and being able to do a lot more comedic work.
It was just a lot of fun and I loved Sarah and I think that it is interesting the journey that she has in the film. It was just great to be a part of.
- You have slightly touched on my next question really as the role sees you return to comedy so just how comfortable are you in this genre? And how much more work do you want to do in this area?
I love it; I think that that is where my original passion lies. So it was nice to be part of a film like this and I really would like to do more comedic work as I really enjoy it.
I feel like I am a very expressive person in a sense and it is refreshing to work on a film like The Knot.
- Jesse Lawrence is in the director's chair making his directorial debut so how did you find working with him? And what kind of director is he?
It was a wonderful experience as I also Noel there providing a lot of direction as well.
And I really enjoyed the way that Noel works with a lot of the same people so a lot of the people in The Knot are from films that he has made previously. So it is almost this family experience and that was great.
- Well I was wondering how useful it was having Noel who had penned the script on set all the time as a sounding board if you will while you were doing your scenes?
Oh yeah that was very important. It was something that I felt lucky to have because at any moment when you are dissecting a scene or a moment with this character... especially with Sarah it was beneficial to have him as I was figuring out her back story and how she really comes into play.
- Talulah Riley and Susannah Fielding are just two of the other actors on the cast list so how did you find working with them - it looked like a fun set to be on?
It really was, it really was. It was very genuine and what you see on screen was real as we had a lot of fun making this film.
It was one of those blessings where you find yourself on set working but you don't feel like you are working. The girls were wonderful and so were the guys - everybody was just fabulous to work with.
It was such a pleasure and it was very real and down to earth. And I loved the dynamic the girls had and the personalities; they are all very unique and yes very similar. It was really really great.
- How did you find being the only American on the cast? And how was filming in London?
I love it, I love London. It was nice to come back and work here - the last time I was here I worked with Marc Evans and Colin Firth on a movie called Trauma and that was an awesome experience as well.
So it was really great to come back and be here for a few weeks and to be working in London and with great people.
- So how have your found the early responses to the film?
People have been really excited about it and I am as well - I wish I could stay in London longer. I am a huge fan of Noel's work and I think that this film is very different to his previous work.
I also just love the story and it is told from both perspectives. There are a lot of films that discuss being married or weddings and they are told more from the female perspective so I love the way that this movie is put together and the message that is given.
It is not just a comedic romp about things that can go wrong and it really does have heart and some really wonderful messages in it.
Especially with my character there is a discussion about who they are and the relationships that they have in their lives and how they all grow throughout the film.
- You have had a career that has spanned over fifteen years so how has the way that you choose your projects changed in that time?
For me it has always been about the work and the material as well as the character and the story and it being one that I can identify with.
That is something that has always stuck with me throughout the years and it is where my passion lies.
- During that time we have seen you work in TV as well as movies so how do the two mediums compare?
To me I am an actor so it is about the character and the script so I don't look at the lines and divisions between television, independent filmmaking or theatrical work as I think that it is all very similar.
It is about the experience for me and what I can bring to it and what I can share - so that is a starting point for me. Nowadays if you were to look at it from a certain perspective the business has changed a lot and, especially in America, there is a lot of really wonderful material in television that you didn't see years ago.
So that is really exciting and I enjoy it because I feel that it has created a big crossover for people who you have seen doing studio film work and they are now doing television - it is a wonderful thing to happen.
So for me it is about the character and the performance and it is not so much about a critical or strategic move; doing a studio film vs an independent film or people never wanting to do TV because they think that should be doing film. I really don't look at it like that I look at more from an acting point of view.
- You have talked about Noel Clarke and how he writes, produces and directs and we are seeing more and more actors going down this path so that something that interests you?
It if a huge interest to me I just don't know if I can do that (laughs). I consider someone like Noel very special and it is something that I greatly admire as I don't know how he does it.
I don't think that it is very easy as you are on set giving a performance and at the same time thinking about everything - that is multitasking at its finest.
- Finally what is next for you?
Right now I am really just looking for the right thing that speaks to me. I am in between projects and I am here promoting The Knot before I head back to Los Angeles and I am looking for the right thing that I am really passionate about.
The Knot is out now. Read the review of The Knot here.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Mena Suvari