ENGLAND: THE BARRY LEVINSON FILM 'BANDITS' MAKES ITS UK DEBUT IN LONDON'S LEICESTER SQUARE

Record ID: 392137

  • Title: ENGLAND: THE BARRY LEVINSON FILM 'BANDITS' MAKES ITS UK DEBUT IN LONDON'S LEICESTER SQUARE
  • Date: 16th December 2001
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (NOVEMBER 16, 2001 REUTERS MCU/CU (English) CATE BLANCHETT ACTRESS "It was delightful. I mean I never think of a role as being purely tragic or purely comic, because if you are playing an essentially dramatic role and you haven't got a sense of irony, it's pretty leaden. And the same with comedy -- if it's not grounded in truth, then it's not funny. And I thi
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2001 12:00
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  • Location: LONDON, UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA1BX07FYIL18R2SPMUSF9S8LRJ
  • Story Text: The Barry Levinson film 'Bandits', starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett, made its UK debut last night in London's Leicester Square. The film, opening as part of the London Film Festival, hopes to capitalize on the unique writing and the comedic chemistry between its three stars.
    The film "Bandits," starring Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, opened at the center of the two-week long London film festival in Leicester Square last night. The film's director Barry Levinson and Australian Actress Cate Blanchett were among others gathered to praise the film for it's unique comic blend of characters and the hilarious situations they are thrown into: "What exactly, in particular, attracted you to this project, would you say?"
    "The characters. The two guys, their relationship, then bringing the woman into it, and seeing what happens with the threesome and the comedic possibilities of it."
    For Cate Blanchett, acting as a mentally unstable housewife was a welcomed departure from the dramatic roles she is so well-known for: "It was delightful. I mean I never think of a role as being purely tragic or purely comic, because if you are playing an essentially dramatic role and you haven't got a sense of irony, it's pretty leaden. And the same with comedy -- if it's not grounded in truth, then it's not funny. And I think that is what's great about Barry. He takes truthful situations and pushes them to impossible limits, which is what he's done with 'Bandits'."
    The key to the film's success is due in no small part to the great acting talents of the three principles, and the essence of their character's quirks: "It was interesting and it was easy in a way because they were very talented, they work together extremely well, and so it makes my job easier in a sense, because they kind of connected rather quickly."
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