Actor Lake Bell, one of the few female actors in Hollywood who can also add the titles of writer and director to her name, swapped the world of quirky independent film for an international Disney movie in her latest on-screen role.
Bell stars opposite Mad Men star Jon Hamm in the Walt Disney Co feel-good sports drama Million Dollar Arm opening in US theatres on Friday. She plays Brenda the neighbor and doctor who helps sports agent J.B. Bernstein in his improbable quest to train two baseball pitchers from India.
Much to her disappointment, Bell didn’t get to go to India to film. But she did get to talk to Reuters about what it’s like to work in her first Disney film.
You get to play the bridge between the young Indian men and the prototype- American sports agent.
I play the literal girl next door who is somewhat irrelevant initially and then becomes incredibly relevant in suturing that relationship between J.B. and Rinku and Dinesh.
J.B. is kind of going down this straightaway of trying to find monetary gain from these investments he has brought back and he, with the help of my character, gets punched in the proverbial gut…’Hey check it out. This is so much more than monetary gain and the only way these boys will find success is if you respect that they are going through an emotional journey as well.’
What did you like about the character of Brenda?
I enjoy Brenda’s utter steadfast truth and her ability to express herself via tough love, which is something I relate to deeply in my own life.
It is such a cliche question, but millions of women would probably want to know what it’s like playing opposite Jon Hamm.
How do I answer that in a new way? Jon and I are good friends. We have known each other for a long time. He is really goofy and hilarious and people probably know that somewhat from his SNL career… But he really is a comedy fan and great comedy player.
Some might say you are a knockout, but in your film and this film you play somewhat disheveled, messy women.
I really enjoy playing characters that are realistically put together. I don’t walk around in stilettos and fancy dresses all the time. That’s just not my life and I don’t feel comfortable that way. I enjoy playing characters I can relate to personally who aren’t ‘glam squad’ all the time. ‘Glam squad’ is fun sometimes, but I feel like I can breath a bit better in a character that speaks truth in her visual representation.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2014.
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