Q. Do you have father fever?
I would love to have children someday, but for now, it was a blast to just play the part of a dad. I was protective of her. I honestly believe it comes from not trying to force the dynamic, just to let it be.
Q. How was working with Abigail as her father?
She makes it easy. I let it be authentic on screen. Not trying to be cutesy. However it was going to be between us, I would let it be. Every father—daughter relationship is different.
Q. You really seemed shocked in the film when you heard her talk about sex.
Yeah, that’s a weird thing when you hear a little kid say the “p” word. Well, now there are good books for parents, so when that time comes, when I have to talk to my kids about it, maybe they will have “pop-up” books (laughs). When the time comes, I should be fine.
Q. How did you relate with your 3 leading ladies? Did your relationships with them mirror the one of Will in the story line?
I’m the luckiest man on this great green spinning planet! I had the time of my life working with these incredibly beautiful and immensely talented ladies. It was a great time. Like Will, I had a different dynamic with each one. Elizabeth plays my college sweetheart and we connected on an easy-going level. We enjoyed going out for a beer together. With her I could be myself. Then Isla, has an unbelievable quality how she just lives for irony. Rachel has a movie star quality where I was lost in her eyes.
Q. If the role was vice versa, how would it go?
My guess is that she would not stand by her man, even though it’s not a betrayal, it just wouldn’t work out. Will is, in some ways, his own worst enemy. That’s what makes it real.
Q. Do you think there can be more than one chance in life? In love?
I think you can have much more than a first chance in relationships.
Q. Would a man date three women that are so different?
It’s contingent of the type of people that date. When I change, it just makes sense that the type of person you would be with would change. The man comes full circle in the film. He’s with the ambitious woman when he’s ambitious. And he’s with the safe one when he feels that he needs safety. And then he’s with the one he’s meant to be with when he finds that he is ready to be with the person that he is meant to be
Q. How was filming in New York?
While we were filming in New York, signs were up about the past Clinton campaign. At the set of the campaign office, people would come in and think it was Clinton’s campaign office, Hillary, not Bill. But the office is designed to be in the 90s, so it was reflecting that era.
Q. How do you feel about politics?
Politics is important. I’m Canadian, so I can’t vote, but the President of the United States is a big deal. It definitely affects the rest of the world. America has always been a place for people to come from all over the world. We are all immigrants to this country. People from all over the world can feel that they belong here.
Q. Could you be the next Jimmy Stewart?
That would be fantastic. Jimmy Stewart is a big hero of mine.
Q. What is missing in today’s films compared to the fifties era.
I think there was magic in making a movie back then. When things begin, like movies being made, people are rebels and creative. When something begins there is an excitement.
Q. The soundtrack is great, what music do you listen to?
I listen to all types of music. If I’m depressed, I listen to melancholy music to make me feel better. Lou Reed, Walk on the Wild Side, is great, I love that song, and I like listening to music from some weird little bands.
Q. How do you feel being voted “Sexiest Man of the Year?” What title would you rather have?
I don’t know about it. It’s really flattering. I would like to be voted the most well rested civilian.
Q. Why should someone go and see this film?
The film is an unusual and unpredictable romantic comedy. I think it speaks to men and women. It’s very funny.
