Exclusive Interview: Justin On Acting, The Open Road, and Marlon Brando

Author: Faith-Ann Young
Posted on: Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Filed under: exclusive, acting, open road, david fincher, facebook, justin timberlake

Justin is currently in progress on a new film with the dynamic, multi-talented Fight Club director David Fincher about Facebook. His latest release, The Open Road was also just released to DVD Nov 17th (You can buy it here.) Since acting is clearly a passion for Justin, he chatted candidly for JT.com about The Open Road, the pleasure of working with Jeff Bridges, and similarities between musical vs. cinematographic performances.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Justin Talks About Acting

JT.com: Do you notice similarities between acting and musical performance?

Justin: There are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences. There’s definitely rhythm in both. There's a certain rhythm to a scene.

JT.com: What attracted you to the role of Carlton in The Open Road?

Justin: I liked the story between the father and the son. I like the idea of no matter how far away you are from your family – someone like your father – even for a long long period of time, there are things that are hereditary that you can’t change about yourself. And the idea that no matter how bad your family pisses you off, they are still your family. We can all relate to that.

Also, I was intrigued by relationship between Carlton and his mother. In this story, she gives him this crazy request. But it doesn’t matter because it’s his mother and [he will do whatever] makes his mother happy. We all have mothers and can relate to that.

JT.com: Jeff Bridges plays your father in the film. Did you get along with him?

Justin: He’s the favorite actor that I’ve ever worked with. Sweetest man. One of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Super artistic. And a great musician. I can’t say anything bad!

JT.com: Do you see yourself leaning towards more dramatic roles in the future?

Justin: Obviously I’d love to do comedy. But I just want to do interesting parts that are interesting to me. You take different parts for different reasons; they are interesting to you at different times.

JT.com: If you could make a film, who would invite to star in it? Dead or alive.

Justin: Marlon Brando. It would be amazing to watch him go.

Also, growing up one of my favorite actors was and still is Tom Hanks. He’s one of the few actors that does drama and comedy a lot of times in the same movie but can do either/or and pull it off so well. He always just plays what is real. I think that is a good lesson for someone like me who didn’t get to study his or her whole like in just film.