No Reservations - Aaron Eckhart interview
Compiled by Jack Foley
AARON Eckhart talks about what appealed to him about No Reservations, his newfound appreciation for opera and singing in front of co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Q. What appealed to you about No Reservations?
A: Catherine and I had a great time getting to know each other in the kitchen. At first, Scott [Hicks, director] got us hooked up with Fiamma, with Chef Michael White. We were in the kitchen, trying to be very courteous to each other and move around the kitchen. By the second day, you’re bumping into each other; you’re reaching over each other, becoming very familiar. That was a lot of fun to do that. I’ve never had a fantasy about being a chef.
Q. What struck you about this particular story that made you want to become involved?
A: What struck me about this was that there are so many things about this movie, so many different layers between the food and the love and the loss, the healing, how food can help you heal, music, philosophy of life…
My character is so breezy and fluid and has a bit more of a relaxed way of life, as opposed to Catherine’s character, Kate. It’s about how we can help each other, and how it’s all intertwined. And then Scott [Hicks] was directing it, and Catherine was in it. It was a perfect fit for me. I really was very happy to be in this film for all those reasons, and I still am.
Q. And what has the actual experience of making the film like?
A: I felt like going to work on this film was, a lot of times, not even like working. You’d just go there and do your thing and make some people laugh and cook some food. It was a good day’s work. I do like playing romantic comedy roles, and I had a lot of fun doing it.
Q. You character listens to a lot of opera. Do you listen to it often?
A: I did when I was making the movie. I listened to one song a lot. It doesn’t come totally natural to me. As you know, I’m not a great singer. But I did actually like doing it to experiment, and they’re such amazing voices. To see the difference between a layman’s voice and their voices, it’s amazing stuff. Saying the words and having the poetry and the meanings and the images that go along with the music really is inspiring. It’s archetypical symbols and imagery, and I think that’s why theatre and opera’s important because they’re telling tales. But to sing it was a stretch. Catherine has a beautiful voice, and so to sing in front of her was tough.
Q. Did she coach you?
A: Not at all.
Read our review of No Reservations