"The Acccidental Husband"
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Tim Nasson
November 11, 2008
Watch "The Accidental Husband" Trailer
Radio sensation Dr. Emma Lloyd (Uma Thurman) and her publisher/fiancé Michael (Colin Firth) thought getting a license to wed in New York would be easier than getting a driver’s license. After all, there’s no tests -- written or blood – they were both over 18, and they weren’t related. All they needed to do was show up together at city hall, fork over the fee, and be done with it. Right? Wrong – Emma’s already married!
Oops. Can someone accidentally forget they have a husband? Certainly not the perfectly practical, never-make-a-misstep Dr. Emma Lloyd, a.k.a. "The Love Doctor." Certainly not New York’s very own guru of relationships, and author of the hot self-help book, R.E.A.L Love.
But when Emma carelessly dispenses some of her "chicken soup for the heart" over the Big Apple’s airwaves, and a faithful listener takes her advice, Fireman Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) suddenly has his love life extinguished. Now Patrick wants to get even, and after reading about the good doctor’s impending nuptials in the newspaper, he puts together the perfect recipe for sweet revenge: Just take one know-it-all talk show host, one angry New York City fireman, one computer whiz who can hack into city hall, and presto! Emma can’t get married because she already is . . . to Patrick!
Full of plenty of passion and lots of sparks, The Accidental Husband proves that a wild fiery love will snuff out a dull steady flame in a New York minute.
Featuring a red hot supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard and Isabella Rossellini, this fun romantic comedy is a heartfelt love letter to Manhattan and a tribute to romance everywhere!
"DYING IS EASY; COMEDY IS HARD"
Attributed to celebrities all over the world, the famous last words of British actor and director Sir Donald Wolfit on his deathbed rang true for The Accidental Husband director Griffin Dunne (son of author and Vanity Fair contributor Dominick Dunne). "Comedy is definitely a challenge for both director and actor," admits the Oscar®-nominated director of the The Duke of Groove. "It’s a lot of work to make it look easy and not forced, but I was lucky enough to work with an amazing cast that made my job not just easier but a lot of fun."
Wanting to break into the challenging genre of comedy, the Academy Award® nominee of Pulp Fiction, Uma Thurman, knew from the second she read The Accidental Husband that finding a role so perfectly meant for her was no accident. A cross between Katherine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story and Lucille Ball in "The Marriage License" episode, the character of Emma calls for a top drawer comedienne who can play both romantic and slapstick comedy. Thurman jumped at the chance not only to play Emma, but also to produce the film.
It all began, ten years ago when Thurman's agent brought her a romantic comedy by two unknown writers, Mimi Hare and Clare Naylor. Instantly, Thurman was impressed and decided it was the perfect vehicle to introduce her to the world of producing and prove to audiences her capabilities as a comedic actress.
"I loved everything about the script – from the title, to the set up of the plot, to the dialogue," remembers Thurman. "Everyone has always told me that I come across so serious, so when I read this script, I saw it as the perfect way to express my sense of humor. It was clear from the first read that I could have a lot of fun with Emma."
So began Thurman’s first project as a producer and her introduction to development. Instantly she took to the creative process of the writing and rewriting. “I found that I just love sitting around a table discussing scenes and dialogue," remembers Thurman. "It was wonderful being able to contribute to something you will later be creating."
Also known for such films as the Kill Bill series, The Producers and Prime, Thurman also said she was drawn to the film because of its 30s and 40s romantic comedy style as well as its innovative theme – finding true love literally by accident.
"Emma is at the height of her career and she’s about to be married to a great guy. She thinks she has it all and then this ‘accidental husband’ sort of comes in and wrecks everything. It’s a great concept. I mean, here's this woman who has all the answers to her life, not to mention everyone else’s, who gets completely thrown when something unpredictable happens," laughs Thurman. "I just love the vulnerability of someone who thinks she knows everything and then gets taught the lesson of her life. And I could completely relate to her – super successful, sure of herself in practically every way, and clueless at the same time!"
After reading the screenplay, Dunne was reminded of the 1938 classic comedy Bringing Up Baby, and just like nobody but Katherine Hepburn could star in that film, he couldn’t see anyone else but Thurman starring in The Accidental Husband.
"Uma is such a straight, almost foreboding beauty on screen, but people don’t realize what a great sense of humor she has," says Dunne. "The idea of taking that incredibly elegant woman and pushing her down a flight of stairs, throwing a pie in her face or placing her into a wild situation like an Indian Bar Mitzvah is just priceless fun."
Producer Jennifer Todd, having spent time with Thurman socially and worked with her on Prime, adds that she could see no one else as the lead in the film.
"The Accidental Husband is sort of a Carol Lombard screwball comedy," says Todd. "Just like Lombard embodied the characters in all her movies, so does Uma embody Emma Lloyd – a successful beautiful woman perfectly in control of her perfect life."
Thurman agrees, adding that it’s the misadventures surrounding Emma’s "fall from grace" that makes her so much fun to play and makes the lessons about love that she learns so valuable.
"I remember thinking here is a film not just about love but also about true happiness," recalls Thurman. "It’s a theme that everyone can relate to because who hasn’t spent hours talking about love and relationships, wondering how to get it right and what it all means? I think we all want to know how to be happy and making that the comedic hook of this film was just brilliant."
Colin Firth, who portrays Emma’s staid, perfectly put together fiancé and publisher of her book R.E.A.L. Love, concurs: "There’s an old adage about comedy being a more serious business than drama, and in this film it really rings true. It was a delicate balance making my character likeable and funny, but working with Uma and Griffin, it was really a rewarding process."
Known for playing a diverse range of characters in such films as Bridget Jones’ Diary, Love Actually, and Pride and Prejudice, Firth adds that comedic roles are certainly the most challenging. "There’s no question," he says, "it’s definitely harder to make people laugh."
On working with Thurman and Dunne, Firth says that he hadn’t been looking for a romantic comedy, but the script was so good and with those two attached, it would have been inconceivable for him to say no.
"Uma blew me away completely. She is amazingly energizing to be around on the set and because she’s so clever and so alive, she really keeps you on your toes," remembers Firth. "And Griffin has long been one of my favorite actors in terms of comedic performances, like An American Werewolf in London and After Hours. In fact, he’s somebody I’ve been trying to imitate for years. Now he’s become one of my favorite directors, especially for a comedy like this. Every actor will tell you, being directed by an actor who knows the game makes for a wonderful experience all around."
Thurman couldn’t agree more. She saw Dunne as the perfect director from the moment she decided to produce The Accidental Husband. After fine tuning the script for several years, she finally brought it to Dunne, a friend with whom she'd always wanted to work and someone who she saw as a great raconteur of stories and relationships.
"Griffin is incredibly funny and a great storyteller," says Thurman. "He knows how to bring relationships to life and he really picks up on all the subtleties and nuances of comedy."
Producers Jason Blum and Jennifer Todd were delighted with the choice of Dunne to direct as well. And they couldn’t have been happier with Thurman in the lead role. "I loved the idea of Uma playing a character whose perfect life gets thrown a curve ball," says Blum. "As for Griffin’s directorial work – well, the performances speak for themselves. Everyone did an incredible job."
Todd agreed, adding that she was particularly drawn to the project because of its theme and clever premise. "The set up for the film – the mix up with Emma’s marriage license – is not only a strong and funny dynamic for the actors but you can actually believe this would happen," says Todd. "In fact, when we researched the film and spoke to City Hall, we learned that this had actually happened on more than one occasion!"
With two strong stars, a hands-on, well-suited director, and a team of capable producers on board a brilliantly conceived romantic comedy, what was left to make The Accidental Husband the break out film it was meant to be?
Finding the perfect break out star who’s as hot as a New York City Fireman.
WHO IS THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND?
For a romantic comedy to work, the audience has to believe in the chemistry between the main players, but in the case of The Accidental Husband, there were three: Emma and Richard . . . and the man who comes between them.
Enter NYC Fireman Patrick Thomas Sullivan.
"There are only a few guys around who look like they can put out fires and get in street fights and be incredibly charming," says Dunne. "Finding Jeffery Dean Morgan wasn’t an accident, it was a miracle."
It happened when Dunne saw Morgan on an episode of Grey's Anatomy. "He was playing the recurring role of Denny, a heart disease patient, and he was just lying in bed dying most of the time he was on screen," recalls Dunne. "But the guy literally ran away with the show for ten straight episodes and I was completely glued to him."
It turns out that Dunne wasn’t alone. After doing a little research on the actor, Dunne discovered that millions of women all over the world had fallen in love with "Denny" and in the process, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
"In an instant, I knew he was our accidental husband," says Dunne, "and we got him a script."
Morgan read it and had only one question: "What do I have to do to get into this movie?" He flew to New York to read with Thurman, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. The role was his.
"I felt like the luckiest guy in the world," says Morgan, the up-and-coming star who's next film is opposite Hillary Swank in P.S., I Love You. "Working with Uma was amazing, and though I was nervous to work with a pro like Colin, once we hung out I found him to be a genuine guy, and very funny. I only hoped I could keep up with him."
Portraying a blue collar, fun-loving, all-American fireman who plays soccer, shoots pool and drinks beer, Morgan literally embodied the role. Still, in order to truly become Patrick, he moved to New York and spent six weeks hanging out with the New York fire department and their soccer team researching his role.
"It was a great experience hanging out with those guys and I learned a lot," says Morgan. "Now I’ve got an even greater respect for them than I did before."
As for the soccer, Morgan had a different view. On the third take of the first day he pulled a groin muscle and a few weeks later when he was supposed to kick a goal he ended up flat on his face.
"I’ve played a lot of sport in my life, but I have to admit it’s been 20 years since I’ve picked up a ball," laughs the good-natured Morgan. "Having played soccer once in my life, I will say this: I will never play it again."
Moviegoers who see him in The Accidental Husband, however, will think Morgan was not just a good soccer player, but also the break out star of the film.
A STELLAR SUPPORTING CAST
When a film already has the likes of Uma Thurman, Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, having a supporting cast with Academy Award nominee ® Sam Shepard of The Right Stuff and the elegant Isabella Rossellini of Blue Velvet, is icing on the cake. Being able to direct these two superstars was a dream come true for Dunne.
"Sam was one of the reasons I moved to New York to be an actor," reveals Dunne. "I can’t believe that I had the opportunity to direct a man I have been in awe of for so long. It was a little daunting, but Sam is a great guy and so relaxed around the set he makes the job easy. He’s also very serious about acting and about comedy.
"It’s all about rhythm," says Shepard, who plays Wilder, Emma's not-so-predictable father. "A joke won’t come off if the rhythm isn’t right. Griffin did I fine job of making the entire pace of this film work."
As for working with Rossellini, Dunne remembers he wanted someone European and elegantly gleeful, an eclectic combination he found the actress had in spades. "I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed working with Isabella. She has a great twinkle and energy and plays the role perfectly particularly in the cake eating sequence," says Dunne. "It became one of my favorite scenes in the film because of her wonderful performance."
Thurman agrees that some of her favorite scenes were with Rossellini, an actress she has admired all of her life. "Isabella lived up to all of my expectations," remembers Thurman. "When she walks on to a set her presence is as immense as her grace and class. She completely exudes it."
Rossellini was delighted to come on board. "I love comedy and I don’t get to do much of it, and though it’s easier for me to make people cry than to make them laugh, working with this wonderful cast and director, I had great fun."
The veteran actress remembers watching Dunne at work with a quizzical smile. "Griffin was so charming and very amusing," recalls Rossellini. "You need that on a set when you want to be funny. I used to watch him at the monitor and he would say every line and make the most incredible faces during the takes. I think he acts out every role in his head."
Dunne laughs at this observation. "I take each actor’s performance very personally. I am under the delusion that if I can act out and deliver all of their lines, each actor will squeeze out that much more of a performance."
Judging from the way each actor brings his or her character alive on screen in The Accidental Husband, it will be no accident if the film is a runaway winner with audiences everywhere. Dunne believes that is part due to his director of cinematography William Rexter and his production designer Mark Ricker, a team he worked with on his last two films, Lisa Picard is Famous and Fierce People.
"William gives me so much great footage that I never get into an editing room and wish I had a shot of something, and Mark consistently gives my films a look like I’m working with a huge budget," says Dunne. "I’m grateful to them as well as to everyone concerned with this film. They all wanted to capture the same energy and spark that was in the script and it’s everyone’s collective spirit and effort that is at the heart of this film."
