Michelle Monaghan had a surprise for the producers of what they thought was an unlikely scenario, writes Joanna Hunkin
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Producers of the romantic comedy Made of Honour thought they were on to something pretty original when they found a script about a male maid of honour. Until it emerged their lead actress had actually had one at her own wedding.
In fact, it was the very reason actress Michelle Monaghan was drawn to the role of Hannah. Well, that and Patrick Dempsey.
"When I first read the script that was something that really surprised me, because it was something similar that I had in my life."
It was only after Monaghan had signed on to the project that producers discovered their leading lady had so much in common with her character.
Of course, Monaghan's maid of honour didn't try to ruin her wedding or break off the relationship, as Dempsey's character Tom does.
"That was awfully honourable of him," she laughs. "He didn't try and break up our marriage at the eleventh hour or anything."
The plot may sound a little familiar. Two best friends, who complement each other perfectly, muddle along happily for years until one - Hannah - announces a shotgun wedding. This spurs the other - Tom - to realise he is in love with his best friend and, with a little help from his comical sidekicks, he sets out to stop the wedding and make Hannah realise he is the right man for her.
Despite the similarities, Monaghan says the film is not a rehash of My Best Friend's Wedding and says if it had been, the film would never have been made.
"Obviously it is very, very similar in the sense that it's a wedding-themed movie. But what we were very excited about, was that this film is kind of a romantic comedy for men. It's told from the perspective of a man. That's what makes it unique."
With an assortment of film credits to her name - including Mission Impossible III, The Heartbreak Kid and Gone Baby Gone - Monaghan had been on the hunt for a good rom-com role for a while.
"I had always wanted to do a romantic comedy and this just seemed to be the perfect movie for me because I did sort of relate to it."
But having ticked the genre off her list, the actress says she is in no hurry to do another.
"It's not to say I wouldn't do a romantic comedy again, but maybe not in the near future. There are so many great roles out there I want to explore. I just want to keep doing things that interest me."
The film was Monaghan's second comedy, after last year's release The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller. But it is not a genre the actress is wholly comfortable with.
"I certainly don't consider myself a comedienne. I always consider myself an actor attempting comedy.
"I find comedies quite challenging actually because you can't really ever prepare to be funny. In dramas you have the privilege of having time to prepare and knowing what you want to achieve throughout the course of the film, in terms of creating a character. In a comedy, it's all about timing and chemistry."
The chemistry between Monaghan and Dempsey was instant. The actress was already a fan of Dempsey's and his work as Dr Derek `McDreamy' Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, though she says she would never have told him that.
"He's great. He's really got a great sense of humour and is really down-to-earth. He's very self-deprecating. We had our first meeting and we laughed through all of it."
Monaghan was also rather enamoured with her Scottish co-star and on-screen fiance, Kevin McKidd, who plays the quintessential gentleman, Colin. In one scene, Colin serenades Hannah at a pre-wedding dinner party, singing the traditional Scottish ballad, Love is Like a Rose..
"Honestly, my heart just fell to my knees the first time he sang it. It was so lovely," exclaims Monaghan, recalling the scene.
McKidd also ingratiated himself with his American co-stars by acting as their official translator when filming on location in Scotland, where both Monaghan and Dempsey struggled to understand the thick Highland accent.
Filmed at Dunvegan Castle on the remote Isle of Skye, the shoot was an experience Monaghan will never forget.
"It was really the most magical place I've ever been. It looks like a page out of a fairy tale. Mountains of green and wild flowers," she gushes.
"I think it provided an extra element to the film in regards to romance. It was such a beautiful place."
Though Monaghan enjoyed her rom-com experience, it's her next role in the independent drama Trucker that has the actress really excited. The film, which premieres this week at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, is the story of a carefree female truck driver, who is thrust into motherhood when reunited with her estranged 11-year-old son.
Monaghan plays the lead role of truck driver Diane Ford and earned her first producer credit for the film.
"It is something I've been wanting to get into for quite some time. I've always really loved the creative aspect of acting but I've always had a business head. The idea of being able to put people together is really exciting.
"I certainly have a lot to learn but it's definitely something I want to continue to do."
LOWDOWN
Who: Michelle Monaghan
Born: 23 March 1976 in Iowa, USA
What: Made of Honour, in cinemas next Thursday [May 1].
Upcoming roles: Diane Ford in Trucker, premieres this week at the Tribeca Film Festival; Rachel in Eagle Eye, due out in September.
