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	Television Interviews The Mike Bullard Show February 2, 2004

Bruce Greenwood made a quick trip to Toronto and did several interviews on February 2nd to promote his romantic comedy, The Republic of Love. His last appearance of the day was a return visit to The Mike Bullard Show, a late night talk show formerly called Open - Mike, where he was interviewed during his Thirteen Days press tour in December, 2000. Sheila Kelley, wife of balding actor Richard Schiff (Toby Ziegler of The West Wing) was the previous guest, promoting her book, "The S Factor: Strip Workouts for EveryWoman (pole dancing for fitness)." She was interviewed just before Bruce and was present during his interview. Bare Naked Ladies were also guest. A full transcript of Bruce's interview follows:

M.B.: Ladies and gentlemen, our next guest has starred in everything from Thirteen Days to The Sweet Hereafter. Please welcome, the very talented and a good friend, Bruce Greenwood. Bruce Greenwood, last time I saw you my friend, Thirteen Days was coming out and I’ve got to tell you again what a fabulous performance that was.

B.G.: Yeah, oh thanks, man. (to the live studio band) You guys sound so good. I was back there going... (claps enjoying the music) Yeah, sounds great, man.

M.B.: Yeah, you’re good - and by the way, our drummer spends a lot of time in strip joints by himself. A little bond for everybody with the band.

(some protesting from the band)

B.G.: That’s harsh, wow, that’s harsh.

M.B.: Yeah, good film, buddy. The Republic of Love, I thought it was a fabulous romance/love story.

B.G.: Yeah, kind of a change of pace for me.

M.B.: Yeah, a change of pace for you. I mean usually you’re an ugly guy who can’t get a chick to save his life.

B.G.: So, usually I’m like murdering somebody or taking their money, or....

M.B.: Well no, but I mean, you play very complex guys, this guy...

B.G.: Simpletons are rare.

M.B.: Well no, you’re right, you’re right, this guy...

B.G.: But not tonight.

M.B.: Well there you go. Tom Avery is a late night DJ. Plays a lot of romantic lonely stuff. Kind of a guy who is a little lonely himself.

B.G.: Yeah, kind of wears his heart on his sleeve and is, you know...

M.B.: Now, what attracted you to this guy?

B.G.: Um, cause I just play so many bad guys, you know, so many guys with hidden agendas and I just wanted to play a guy… (acts desperate) Come on give me some, you know.

M.B.: We’ve got a clip of the film. Do you want to set it up?

B.G.: (looks unsure) Ah, sure. Um, I think it might be, if it’s the one I think it might be, it might be, yeah, um, no it’s going to meet my mom who’s played by Jackie Burroughs, with my new...

M.B.: OK, Who’s a great actress.

B.G.: She is crazy, a great nut but in a good way.

M.B.: Alright.

clip from The Republic of Love

B.G.: I don’t, ah, I don’t actually speak in the movie but it’s…yeah, they just felt it wasn’t important.

M.B.: So, what did they say? Hey, Bruce you want to come in and have a couple of beers? We’ll set up the camera.

B.G.: No, it’s just, they’d seen my work and they just thought…just sit there, its OK, it’ll be fine.

M.B.: OK, no, Bruce why is it? Cause you know, you’re I mean, when it comes to matinee idol looks, I mean, you’re the King to me; you’re a good-looking guy.

B.G.: Even with the hair? (referring to the previous interview with Sheila Kelley discussing the sexiness of bald men)

M.B.: Well, the hair, the whole thing. Yeah, you’ve got it all.

B.G.: I just felt like yanking on a bald cap before coming out here.

M.B.: Here, here, borrow mine...but you know they always cast you as these brooding guys, I mean, you’re not a broody guy.

B.G.: I’m not that broody a guy. I sulk occasionally but ah...

M.B.: Yeah, but you’re a very happy guy. I mean, you’ve been married like 15 years...

B.G.: Yeah, like that.

M.B.: to your childhood sweetheart.

B.G.: Yeah, like that.

M.B.: OK, you’re an incurable romantic, right?

B.G.: (being evasive) Yeah, like that, yeah.

M.B.: OK. Now, this is a story...

B.G.: I’m sorry, I’m not making it easy for you, man.

M.B.: That’s all right, I’m having a good time. This is a story... (laughs) cause I’m asking the questions and I’m looking at Sheila, everything’s going great, relax.

B.G.: (laughs) I know. (audience applauds)

M.B.: But now, this is a story about the lucky and unlucky in love, and your character?

B.G.: Yeah, this guy has had, you know, a handful of marriages and they haven’t gone perfectly. So, he’s but he’s still a romantic, still believes that something can happen. So, um, the message of the film is basically that love can bloom out of the sidewalk, and you know, we should just be open to it. (emphasizes with his hands)

M.B.: Yeah, I love that. That’s a greeting card, that one. Love can bloom out of the sidewalk.

B.G.: Yeah, it is.

M.B.: Now, you’ve done a lot of Hollywood films but you always bring it back to Canada with movies like Exotica, Arrarat and The Sweet Hereafter. Is it because of the chemistry between yourself and Atom Egoyan, the affinity you have for each other? Why do you do that?

B.G.: You know, I’m just really fortunate to have hooked up with him quite awhile ago and he thinks of me occasionally and I’ll just do anything for him, he knows that.

M.B.: And are you planning on working again with him soon, because ah...

B.G.: That’s my plan but so, I haven’t called to beg him recently, so.

M.B.: He’s not really a formulaic filmmaker, you never know when he’s going to come out with something next, do you? So it’s kind of strange.

B.G.: No, no.

M.B.: Now, you’ve been doing back-to-back films for so long now. I mean, you really haven’t had a break since Thirteen Days. What are you planning on doing?

B.G.: I’m going to take a break. I’m going to kick back for awhile.

M.B.: Where are you going?

B.G.: Do some pole dancing and um...

S.K.: Oh that was a good answer. (audience applauds)

M.B.: A little bit of pole dancing? Oh, that’s great. Oh, you’re going to be good.

B.G.: Yeah, work on my abs, yeah.

M.B.: I tell you, I’ve got a $20 burning a hole in my pocket right now. (audience laughs) I’d like to see that, boy. But, what are you doing next. Do you know what your next role is going to be?

B.G.: No, I’m going to kick back. I’m not going to do anything.

M.B.: You have no idea.

B.G.: No, I don’t. The idea is I’m not going to do anything for awhile.

M.B.: So, where do you live?

B.G.: L.A., but I haven’t been there in eight months.

M.B.: Wow, your wife must just be standing at the door with tears in her eyes.

B.G.: Mostly, yeah. No, she came out to visit, man. She came out to visit.

M.B.: Oh, that’s good, that’s good.

B.G.: Yeah, I call.

M.B.: I just pictured her standing at the window waiting for love to bloom from the sidewalk.

B.G.: What a cynic, man. What a cynic, I can’t believe it.

M.B.: I loved it, it’s beautiful. Hey man, I live in my car. What do you want? (audience laughs) I want to thank you, buddy. (shakes his hand) It’s always a pleasure to see you. Bruce Greenwood, The Republic of Love. Get this; this is what I call good timing folks, hit’s theatres Friday the 13th just in time for Valentine’s Day. Isn’t that nice? Make sure you go out and see it.