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PETER DINKLAGE
Contributed by Michael J. Lee, Executive Editor
for Radio Free Entertainment
August 18, 2005
In his feature film debut as a director, comedian Michael Showalter stars as Elliot Sherman, a hapless fellow who is known as a "baxter"--a socially inefficient individual who just can't quite seem to win at the game of love. Perpetually the losing corner of a relationship triangle, Elliot is literally left at the altar by his beautiful bride-to-be Caroline (Elizabeth Banks) when her old high school sweetheart Bradley (Justin Theroux) rolls into town. Wallowing in personal misery, a jilted Elliot eventually picks himself up with the help of Cecil Mills (Michelle Williams), an adorable little office temp who aspires to be a singer.
Michael Showalter also serves as writer for The Baxter, which features a supporting cast that includes Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, and Peter Dinklage.
In this interview, Peter Dinklage, who plays flirtatious wedding planner Benson Hedges, talks about adventures in matrimony and the making of the movie.
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The Interview
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MEDIA: Did Michael's friendship with the actors in this movie have a lot to do with the casting?
PETER: Yeah. Most of us are from New York that are in the movie. It's a huge city, but with a close group of actors and writers and directors and stuff. And I've known Michael for quite some time, just as a friend. And, you know, very talented people attract each other. [jokes] Sense of humor does not come out on print, does it? I'm going to seem so arrogant. Just put "hee hee" in parentheses. Ummm...So yeah, that's how it comes about. I think in independent films, it's good to use people you know, because you know what they can do, and you know they're going to be fun to hang out with.
What has been your funniest experience at a wedding?
Well, I can't remember one. But my brother is a violinist. And back in the day, violinists make good money playing weddings. He's graduated from all that now, but he once played a wedding where the groom was smoking during the ceremony. It was like a biker wedding in a church. The priest must have been paid a couple extra bucks or something, because the guy literally exhaled smoke to say "I do." So I think that's pretty funny. But I'm stealing my brother's story. I just end up always getting drunk.
Did you learn anything from your role that you were able to apply to your own recent wedding?
I learned what not to do. I eloped. I think weddings are beautiful, but man, they can become the event itself. You don't get to see your bride or groom in all the melee. And it costs so much money to get married. But I think they're beautiful. But we just decided to save a buck, I guess. [laughs]
Where did you tie the knot?
We got hitched in Vegas, yo. And I'm very private about that stuff. I can't believe I just told you all that. But we're talking about weddings, and I had just gotten married, so I guess it's inevitable.
Did you get a chance to improvise some of your dialogue in The Baxter?
Yeah. That's the joy about working with somebody as funny as Michael, because he's also an actor, and he trusts everybody he's working with. I think you can do all your homework, but some of the best stuff happens right when you get to set...the conditions that you're in and the spontaneity of it. I think a lot of good directors work that way, and directors like that attract actors because they're not so constrained to what's on the page. And it's good that he's also the writer, too, because he can embellish and change things. And I have the utmost respect for writers. I don't like to change things without their consent or anything. So I kind of keep that in check a little bit--how much you're improving and stuff. But when the director is the writer and the star and you're working with him, it's easier access. So that was fun.
What was improvised on your part?
Just a little bit here and there, like the "Hello, Brooklyn." It's just stuff like that. Fussy little things that I needed to add.
You have mentioned that your character Benson flirts with everyone. Did you base him on any particular person?
[jokes, mock flirtation] I don't know. You want to get out of here and talk about it some more? I flirt with everybody--that's what I meant to say. [laughs] No, no...we were just joking about that. Like me and Michael on the set...it was very funny, like, "Maybe he's not even gay. Maybe he'll come on to [everything]." But I think Benson is quite the man's man. That doesn't answer your question. I'm sorry. What was your question?
Did you base your character on anyone in particular?
Oh, no. I just invented him. I don't know where he came from...the bowels of my weirdness. See, I wish I was one of those actors who did more homework. I should have gone to like a wedding planning school or something. But I just make it up. [laughs]
Was this role written specifically for you?
I don't know if Michael wrote it for me. I've never asked him.
How was working with Elizabeth Banks and Paul Rudd?
[Elizabeth is] great. She's so perfect in that role, isn't she? [And Paul is] so funny. But like Elizabeth, he's one of these very good-looking people who just have...that's why I like Cary Grant, [who] I think is just a genius. Because here's this handsome leading man, but he can be so foolish and so funny. I love that, you know what I mean? The beautiful people when they're funny. But yeah, they're great.
Does making a movie with good friends really feel like work, or is it more like just goofing around?
No, it is work. I don't want to make it out like it was like camp or something. You've got to be professionals about it. It's not hard work. There's people digging coal mines, you know. It's fun hanging out with your friends and making a movie. I'm sorry, but it is. [laughs] Actors who say it's so grueling...I don't know, man. There's worse things.
Thanks for your time.
Thanks, guys.
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