Rachael Leigh Cook talks 'Bob Funk'
July 3, 2009


Bob Funk is not necessarily the kind of salesman you'd want to buy anything from, much less a futon. He's a miserable man who takes as much satisfaction from chasing someone away behind a hangover-induced tirade than he is convincing a stranger in a bar to come home with him for a quick fling.

Believe it or not, that's one of the endearing aspects to the movie, "Bob Funk," just released on DVD.

"It's the least sort of corny story of redemption that you might find around," said actress Rachael Leigh Cook, who plays the clumsy Ms. Thorne.

"This guy goes from being a pretty crass, sort of freeloading, sexist, alcoholic futon salesman and he really does realize that he does need to change his ways."

"Bob Funk" is the brainchild of writer/director Craig Carlisle and actor Michael Leydon Campbell. Based on the play "Bob Funk In Therapy," in which Campbell also played Bob Funk, the recent release of the film on DVD marked a culmination of efforts involving both men.

"It's amazing to be part of somebody's baby," said Cook in an interview with the Tribune from her home in West Hollywood. "Their pet project for so many years. To finally make it into big screen form is an amazing sort of closing of this chapter in their lives. I feel really honored that I could be there for it."

When we first meet Bob, he's darn near rock bottom. Staying up late at night in an effort to outdrink the previous night's efforts and sleeping with yet another anonymous girl, Bob stumbles, disheveled, into the office once again.

The only reason he's able to keep his job is because his mother is the owner of the business and his brother holds a similar position which keeps everything running relatively smoothly without any real contribution from Bob.

When the ultra clumsy Ms. Thorne is hired (we are introduced to her when she accidentally walks head-on into a pane of glass) Bob is threatened by the fact that she doesn't run screaming from his daytime demeanor. It's as if she doesn't know any better.

"I think that's a character choice," explained Cook. "Do you have maybe a girlfriend or your mom or your sister, anyone you know, who to a fault sees the best in people? (They are) oblivious but if you're not doing any harm, if you're not torturing puppies then you're OK."

Bob gets a dose of reality when he's fired from his job. It's at that point he realizes that alcohol has consumed his lifestyle and threatens to end him all together. It's time to make a change.

It's Thorne and her many mishaps that end up being the one consistent in Bob's world during this strange and revealing time.

Cook, known for her starring roles in "She's All That," and "Josie and the Pussycats," also spent some time in Montana in the late '90s on the film "The Hi-Line." While the role of Ms. Thorne provides laughs through inelegance, it wasn't all just about slapstick, Cook said.

"I don't like it when clumsiness is a real device, but I feel like because this is a dramedy, it's not pratfalls," she said. "It's a different kind of clumsiness."

Seeing Bob's fall and rise on screen is something that can be used as inspiration, according to Cook.

"I think it's a great message," the actress said. "I think people are capable of doing great things at any moment. I think people are capable of doing horrible things at any moment and Bob generally favors the latter. The moral of the story is, it isn't too late. He's sort of like a large child. It's really like he's growing up."

"Bob Funk," R, language, sexual content. 1 hour, 36 minutes.


( Source )

Thx for the article!
Are you a mod now? Or did TR move your post to the news and information section?

Oh i guess Steve did.

I didn't do that, so I suppose they did.

I will talk to TR again. shouldnt take long anymore...

I moved it, as it seemed like News and Information. :P

It's an article/interview, though. :P

You win.

quote:

Originally posted by mut:
I will talk to TR again. shouldnt take long anymore...

No need. I finally figured out where to make the change in the member list. The setting was kinda hidden, actually. lol

Quel, you are now a mod on the MB. Welcome aboard!

-TR

Wow, thanks!