WAMG Interview: Eliza Dushku – Star of JANE WANTS A BOYFRIEND

Eliza Dushku has turned in superb performances in TV and films for over twenty years. On the small screen she headlined two shows, “Tru Calling” and “Dollhouse” after her breakthrough role as “bad girl” Faith on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. Her big screen career began with playing the daughters of Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger in THIS BOY’S LIFE and TRUE LIES. Later roles ranged from the comedy hits BRING IT ON and JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK to thrillers like SOUL SURVIVORS and WRONG TURN. Ms. Dushku returns to cinemas with the family drama/romance JANE WANTS A BOYFRIEND, out on March 25. We Are Movie Geeks spoke with her in a phone interview about the film.

Interview conducted on March 16, 2016

We Are Movie Geeks: After meeting you at Wizard World in St. Louis in 2014, I had heard that you were returning to college, so I was delighted to see you back on the big screen once more.

Eliza Dushku: Actually I had begun my Freshman courses in 2013 before that time.

WAMG: Oh, okay. It seems your work in this film is quite a departure after extensive work in thrillers and genre-type films. Was this a new direction for your career, or was this script written with you in mind? How did this come about?

ED: I think this was just a great script that came my way. I was excited and positive about the material and the subject, with its amazing theme by writer Jarret Kerr and director William Sullivan, two NYU guys that seemed to really know what they were doing and they were really ready. It’s an indie movie that really feels like a big feature. One with a bigger budget. And they brought in these terrific actors that just blew me away. By casting Amir, Gabriel,and Louisa it was just that special lightning in a bottle that comes together.

WAMG: It’s a terrific little (indie) film that does have the look of a big budget feature film. There’s a shot late in the film of you waiting to go on stage, listening for your cue, that’s lit so beautifully that it resembles a classic oil painting. It was quite lovely.

ED: Yes, I think it does look like a big budget feature film.

WAMG: As I mentioned earlier, this is quite a different kind of role for you. You’re the older sister of the title character, a very nurturing sister. I’m wondering if you were approaching the role as if you’re almost being the parent, I guess the term is a “helicopter parent” at times, wanting so much for your sister not to get hurt?

ED: Yeah, I grew up not having a sister,  but with three brothers, although that’s in my nature, my DNA that I’m very protective and very loyal, and I just really tapped into that with this character, but sometimes when that loyalty comes into play it can come in a harsh way. That film explores that as this archetypical older sister wants to protect her sister, yet she doesn’t see when she’s “over the top” and overbearing and unexpectant of how Jane is. Perhaps she can realize that even though she’s always been the big sister , that there’s actually quite a bit she has to learn from Jane. That she actually really needs Jane as much as Jane needs her.

WAMG: Well especially when your parents, a very funny performance by Polly Draper and Greg Edelman,  want to ease up and pass on some of their responsibility to you. Even though Jane’s in the film’s title, it’s equally Bianca’s story I believe. You talked about being harsh, I harkened back to the scene Jack (Gabriel Ebert) up on the rooftop during the party scene. And boy, you come out just like a lion in that!

ED: I know. I know. I’ve seen it now with a couple of relatives and they say, ” Oh yeah,we know that girl”.

WAMG: Talk about a “mama grizzly”! Now, one of the main themes of this film is that Jane is dealing with Asperger’s and I’m wondering in doing some research if you talked with some scientists or doctors os some specialists, or did you contact some support groups or their family members?

ED: Well, we had a professional who was a consultant on the film, Kerry Magro, who was on set to answer any questions.And I know a number of people in my own life who have Asperger’s and are on the spectrum, so it was all very personal for me. And so I wanted to try to be part of this in a way to portray it most realistically and honestly, you know. So there is a lot of pressure to get it right. We’ve done screenings and meetings with people, and we’ve breathed a sigh of relief, so proud that we represented it well and really powerful.

WAMG: Yes, a lot of care and sensitivity went into the film, right from its opening scenes. Your character Bianca has a lot on her plate. She’s an aspiring actress, and she’s getting her first real gig. I’m curious, was this your first time playing an actress on-screen or in a TV show?

ED: I think it was! I’m sure it was my first time playing Shakespeare!

WAMG: Ah, that was going to be my follow-up question!

ED: Well, Joss (Whedon) used to have to have Shakespeare night, when I was doing the Buffy TV show, with a lot of the other actors. He’s have them over to his house to read Shakespeare. I think I went for one night, only once because it terrified me. But I got to knock myself out with this film.

WAMG: Yes, I know you’ve done quite a lot of stage work, but this is your first time playing Titania, the queen of the fairies, and I made the connection that your character name Bianca is also in “The Taming of the Shrew” and there’s a touch of that play in the film in that you’re trying to find someone for a person that’s difficult to match. Also, about the stage play within the film, which is directed by Harrison West, who is quite something.

ED: Oh my gosh…

WAMG: I’m hoping you haven’t had any experiences with directors like that, you’re not drawing on…

ED: You might be surprised! Over the years I’ve met all kinds!

WAMG: I guess during your third decade in feature film, you might! I was hoping I’d get to see a little bit of (Buffy character) Faith in that scene. I was thinking, “Tear into him!”. But your character was in a difficult position. She had to kind of “suck it up” and bear the brunt of everything. It was tough.

ED: And also, though his delivery may have sucked, he was saying something that she needed to hear. About all that control.

WAMG: You can see that in your face. Going from anger to frustration to “Yeah, he’s kinda’ right! I need to get my act together! Definitely”. Do you have any plans on doing any directing for the stage or screen yourself? Or any screenwriting ambitions?

ED: Not at the moment. I’m really concentrating on the acting right now.

WAMG: And your many fans will be looking forward to seeing your acting work. Best of luck, and thanks for talking to us!

ED Thank you!