Director Todd Phillips breathes new life into the bachelor party in Vegas plot in The Hangover. MICHELE MANELIS talks to him and the film's stars
You might think you've heard this one before. A group of friends plan the ultimate bachelor night and drive to Las Vegas in pursuit of drinking and debauchery before the groom ties the proverbial knot. But while the boys-gone-wild cliche is a genre unto itself, director Todd Phillips (Old School, Starsky and Hutch) steered clear of generic, frat boy "hilarity" that relies primarily on grossing out the audience with bodily functions, and gratuitous lap dances (though there is some of that). Unlike comedies in recent past that permeate a strong element of misogyny, The Hangover is unexpectedly funny without being mean-spirited.
"These characters are just nice guys who screw up. They mean well, and their intentions are correct even though it all goes badly," says Phillips. "People think the movie is about a bachelor party in Vegas and they have those expectations, but it's really about bad decisions and how you reconcile those decisions."
One of the appealing aspects of this good-natured romp is the way it's structured. We witness the beginnings of their "wild night" and like many a good hangover, the characters don't remember what happened on the night in question, and we find out as they retrace their steps the next day.
"I wasn't interested in doing the standard, by-the-numbers bachelor night. It starts with losing a groom the day after the night before. So, essentially, we flipped the movie," says Phillips.
And he made the movie with an ensemble cast remiss of any marquee names you've heard of, with the exception of perhaps Bradley Cooper (He's Just Not That Into You, Yes Man) who's tipped to be Hollywood's next breakout star, and Heather Graham, who makes a comeback. The cast is rounded out by Zach Galifianakis (What Happens in Vegas), Justin Bartha (National Treasure and sequel, Failure to Launch) and The Office's Ed Helms.
Helping the actors get fully immersed in their roles was made easier by the fact they lived in Sin City during filming.
"It was a huge asset that we were living in Vegas. It sounds ridiculous but it got in our blood, it got in our pores," says Cooper from Caesar's Palace where the movie was shot. Rather aptly, the actors have returned here to promote the film.
Helms adds: "The way Vegas is set up - it's all designed to encourage really bad decision making. Everything around you is advertising hookers, or gambling, or prime rib. It's set up to 'cheat on your wife!' or 'get loaded!' or 'do drugs!'
"And everyone you meet, it doesn't matter if they're the valet parking guy, they all encourage that behaviour," he says animatedly.
In the absence of 30-something leading men (the big ones still remain Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise who are all in their 40s), Hollywood is hoping Cooper may be the answer. At 34, he could be regarded as the thinking man's Matthew McConaughey, who turns 40 this year. But Cooper is cautious when speaking about his burgeoning celebrity.
"According to my mum I'm the next big deal," he jokes. But having starred in He's Just Not That Into You, and Yes Man, he can't negate the idea his face is getting a little more recognisable.
"Seriously, nothing much has changed for me but I'm getting more offers to do more roles," he insists, sounding a tad rehearsed and a bit too politically correct. But when the Hollywood rumour mill has him romantically linked to Jennifer Aniston, clearly that's a sign of a star-in-the-making?
"That's very flattering but we're not going out. I've met her three times in my life, and that's it," he laughs.
Speaking of leading ladies, making a return to the movie screen after a long absence is 39-year-old Heather Graham who looks perennially youthful. She appears in a small but pivotal role as a stripper. "I can't speak for all women but personally, I love raunchy guy humour and I thought this script was hilarious. And it was awesome being the only girl on the set, I have to admit," she says, but can also see that as a double-edged sword. "It's true that there are probably five female roles to 50 male roles."
And now that she will be turning the big 4-0, in one of the world's most ageist of industries, she says, "I like to look at Halle Berry as a role model. Her career got better as she got older, knock on wood. And Susan Sarandon did most of her distinctive work in her 40s," she smiles. "We'll have to see what happens."
Although Graham plays a Vegas stripper, she somehow retains a sense of innocence, in the same vein as she has done in previous movies such as Roller Girl in Boogie Nights or Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
"It seems like the really successful movies I do are definitely sexually debauched in some way. I think my family would prefer me to play a nun, but I don't think that's going to happen," she laughs. Graham is also responsible for some partial nudity in the film. "Yes that's true but at least there is actually more male nudity in this movie. I think we ladies need to see more naked men."
The mere mention of a bachelor party will often bring about an ominous dread for many a bride-to-be. But according to Phillips, these mythic rites of passage are a lot tamer than they are purported to be. "The two bachelor parties I've been to have been nothing like how they're usually portrayed on screen. But what I like about it is that there's something inherently awkward about the way men behave with each other when there are no women around. There is something un-elegant about it. And that's funny."
LOWDOWN
What: The Hangover
Starring: Hollywood's next break-out male star Bradley Cooper, and Heather Graham as a Vegas stripper
Opens: In cinemas June 11
