Interview is well-made but depends almost entirely on its acting. Neither of the two principals let it down, even when the screenplay isn't quite as sharp as it could have been.
Interview (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:120
Fresh:69
Rotten:51
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: Captivating performances from Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller make a seemingly simple premise gripping and entertaining.
Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for language including sexual references, and some drug use.
Runtime: 84 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:02-11-2007
Synopsis: The plot of actor/director Steve Buscemi's INTERVIEW is devilishly simple: a political journalist (Buscemi) is sent on a clearly beneath-him assignment to meet an attractive B-list soap star... The plot of actor/director Steve Buscemi's INTERVIEW is devilishly simple: a political journalist (Buscemi) is sent on a clearly beneath-him assignment to meet an attractive B-list soap star celebrity (Sienna Miller). He makes a mess of the interview, but winds up at her Manhattan loft apartment following an unfortunate car accident. Thus begins an intriguing two-character plot arc in which the mismatched couple argue, drink, snort cocaine, argue some more, and ultimately find some common ground as they both loosen up and reveal some secrets. Buscemi's film is a remake of deceased Dutch director Theo Van Gogh's 2003 movie of the same name, and the director throws in a few neat references to the original, even aping Van Gogh's predilection for shooting on three cameras. Miller fits perfectly into the role of a disgruntled celebrity who can't contain her anger at the press, while Buscemi delivers an acting master class as the full-of-himself intellectual whose conversation is fueled by a haughty toleration for his sparring partner. INTERVIEW is a lengthy conversation piece that probably has more in common with an off-Broadway play than it does with any of Buscemi's filmmaking contemporaries, but it works, thanks to Buscemi's impressive direction and the superior source material, both of which provide plenty of scope for the two leads to flex their skills. [More]
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller
Director: Steve Buscemi
Director: Steve Buscemi
Screenwriter: Steve Buscemi, David Schechter
Producer: Gijs van de Westelaken, Bruce Weiss
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Reviews for Interview
Sienna Miller as an airhead celeb more famous for her sex life than her movies? Quite a stretch for the British actress.
It pretends to be about the games of deceit that go on between men and women, but it's really just a squib on the culture of celebrity, and the cynical conclusion that's meant to pull us up short is feeble and silly beyond patience.
The friskiness of this pas de deux is something, and the acting duet enough of a selling point.
A talky, tricksy but never particularly convincing or involving drama.
There can hardly be a bigger waste of time than this conceited and self-indulgent two-hander directed by Steve Buscemi, remade from a Theo Van Gogh film.
Sienna does a good job of portraying Katya as a blonde, self-obsessed actress who is good at turning on the tears. Remarkable that.
The constant see-sawing of emotion eventually becomes repetitive and wearisome.
There’s some nicely written dialogue in this remake of a foreign movie, but it’s all extremely unsatisfying thanks to a so-what? ending and the script’s inability to make us warm to its two principal characters.
Snappy exchanges, smart acting and slick directing go to make up a wickedly entertaining work that's hugely enjoyable. A deft story about modern-day celebrity culture, it also proves what a talent Buscemi is as a director.
Interview is a decently acted two-hander fringe play that doesn't deserve to be on film.
Essentially it's a game of verbal ping-pong and, even if cynicism wins the day too easily in the end, the interplay is lively and intriguing.
Interview is a decent showcase for the talents of its stars, but may leave you in doubt over the talents of its originator. Hopefully the other Van Gogh remakes in production will sport more smartness and subtlety.
Ultimately, this two-hander feels limited in scale, but frisky and diverting while it’s on.
As an exercise in preconception-shattering, it works reasonably well. But as the characters veer between petulance and intimacy and back again - often within the same verbal exchange – the situation never really rings true.
Stagey filming aside, this is a sharp and controlled study of celebrity obsession.
Stagey but enjoyable drama with superb performances from its two leads.
Miller delivers her strongest yet performance in this offbeat black comedy, which [is] intriguing, but a little draggy.
Latest News for Interview
June 20, 2008:
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December 14, 2007:
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December 08, 2007:
American version of deceased Dutch Director's drama due on DVD. ![]()
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July 12, 2007:
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