Last week, The Hollywood News was lucky enough to be granted an interview with the stunning actress, Amy Smart, who has been a familiar fixture on our cinema and TV screens over the last 16 years. After an almost decade-long career in ballet, she made the brave decision to try her hand at acting and has since, never looked back.
Like most aspiring actresses, Smart began her Hollywood career with small roles in STARSHIP TROOPERS and low-budget, independent features like CAMPFIRE TALES and THE LAST TIME I COMMITED SUICIDE. I personally first became aware of her from a small but pretty effective slasher flick from 1998, entitled STRANGELAND. It was the first horror film to incorporate the use of the growing popularity of the Internet into its plot to show just how the technology could be exploited by very bad people.
1999 saw her career finally begin to take off with significant roles in VARSITY BLUES, opposite the likes of Jon Voight and James Van Der Beek, and OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE with Alec Baldwin and Shawn Hatosy. The next few years saw her profile rise even further after box-office comedy hits ROAD TRIP, RAT RACE and STARSKY & HUTCH. In 2004, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT – which was both a critical and commercial smash – gave Smart the chance the flex her dramatic muscles, leading the actress to her most eye-catching role yet. Festive comedy JUST FRIENDS, opposite Ryan Reynolds, was another fun flick that enjoyed huge success at the box-office before going to star as the put-upon Eve, in the crazy-but-awesome actioner CRANK, as well as its sequel, with Jason Statham.Various voice work on the cult-carton hit ROBOT CHICKEN, along with recurring roles in television shows like SCRUBS and the US version of SHAMELESS, has meant her talents have certainly not gone unnoticed.
This brings us to her latest role in the all-star, suspense-thriller COLUMBUS CIRCLE. The film is a sinister head-twisting thrill ride surrounding a young agoraphobic woman living in a wealthy high-rise penthouse in one of New York’s most prestigious districts. Her world is shattered when her quiet life becomes invaded by a couple moving to a nearby apartment. Smart shares the screen alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names and the film is more than a decent addition to the genre. We were able to put some questions to Amy regarding her role in the film and just what we can expect from her in the future.
Q. Without giving too much away, could you give us an insight into the character you play in COLUMBUS CIRCLE?
A. I play a character named Lillian, who happens to be in a relationship with Charles, who is played by Jason Lee. We move into an expensive apartment across the hall from Selma Blair’s character Abigail who is struggling with a lot in her life. She witnesses a violent episode between Lillian and Charles one night and reluctantly helps me out – saves me in fact – because of her past, she was also physically abused by her father, which has unfortunately shaped the way she lives her life now. The two become close and as you know things sort of spiral and..well lets just say they don’t turn out great.
What drew you to the role of Lillian in the film?
I loved the whole story. Not everyone is how they appear to be. The were lots of twists and turns – I watched the film for the first time last week with my husband, and even he didn’t know exactly who or what some of the characters were up to until right at the last minute, and I just loved that. A great story that keeps everyone guessing and trying to piece things together for themselves. I felt it would certainly entertain and keep people on the edge of their seats.
Did you feel the need do any research in order to prepare for role?
No, not really. Maybe a little about those who suffer from Abigail’s condition and how my character could help her, but I like to bring something to the role myself. Keep the character ground in real-life you know. Lillian and Abigail have gone or going through similar experiences in their lives and I wanted to make her human, almost a good person who just took the wrong path, made bad choices and ended with the wrong person to spend her life with.
Was it different working with a number of actors who were involved in bringing the film together? (Jason Lee and Giovanni Ribisi both served as producers, while Kevin Pollack co-wrote the film with director George Gallo)
Not really – all the guys were fantastic to work with and very professional. They were all so amazing. Kevin was always there to help out for advice about the character and Jason Lee and Giovanni Ribisi were so great. They knew when they were in front of the camera it was about the story and bringing it to life. They were also always keen to keep everyone on the set happy and make it an enjoyable experience. It really was fun but challenging at the same time.
Almost every major character in the film seems to have their own agenda. Is it more fun to play a character who has a touch of menace about them?
Oh yeah, absolutely, and I really love that. It’s much more fun and gives you freedom to get inside the character. Their motivations of why they act the way they do, but it also makes you question yourself and pulls you back from maybe over playing the part. It is always in your mind to keep it real and keep the character and the situations they find themselves in as real as the story allows them to be.
How did you feel working with the director George Gallo and the rest of the cast?
He was really caring, and always there to help you. He’s very committed and hard working. He made sure we were all part of a team, ensuring we knew why the characters did what they did. He created an atmosphere on set that we were all happy to be apart of and the rest of the cast were amazing. We all learned from one another which is always great. Everyone was open to give advice and just a genuinely great experience.
Is there a film throughout your career that you feel most proud to have been involved with?
That’s a really good question. In terms of comedy I would have to say JUST FRIENDS or RAT RACE – they both were just great, fun rewarding experiences. For drama it would definitely be THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, but COLUMBUS CIRCLE would be right up there.
You have a background in ballet, would that be something that you feel you would like to bring to a movie in the future?
Yeah, I did ballet for a number of years before I eventually turned to acting, but like most things when you’re young I kinda got bored with it. The discipline you have to have at times can be frustrating but I feel it has helped shaped my career. It has probably helped me in how a carry myself in terms of my posture and the discipline aspect certainly comes in handy on a movie set. I found it benefited me most during LOVE N’ DANCING, a film I did bout four years ago and I loved that experience. I love dancing and it’s a huge passion of mine.
Could you give us any clues as to what you have lined up next or what you are currently working on?
I have a film coming out in August, 7500, which is directed by Takashi Shimizu (director of THE GRUDGE), which is a thriller set on board a plane. Also I have just done a pilot which we’re waiting to see if it gets picked up called BAD GIRLS, which is set in a prison, that has also been great to work on. (THN bring up the fact BAD GIRLS, originated from the hit UK series) Yeah, that’s right – how successfull was it over there? (We inform her the series ran between 1999-2006, and was considered a huge hit with its fans). Hopefully if it works out we can do the original show justice.
Lastly, can we expect to see you back for a CRANK 3?
Well actually I haven’t heard anything yet, so I’m not sure if they will be another CRANK. We will have to wait and see. If they decide go ahead with myself involved, yeah I would love to do another one.
Many thanks to the lovely Amy Smart for her time.
COLUMBUS CIRCLE is released on DVD and Blu-ray 5th March and co-stars Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee, Selma Blair, Kevin Pollack, Jason Antoon and Beau Bridges. You can take a look at the films trailer below.
