Alice Eve talks about her film “Before We Go” and addresses Marvel movie role speculation.
I had the chance to speak with the wonderfully talented and insightful actress Alice Eve about her film “Before We Go” starring herself and Chris Evans (who also directed). During the conversation we discussed their onscreen chemistry, the conversational build up of love, and her take on modern day romance. We also spoke about the possibility of her future in an upcoming Marvel film.
Throughout the interview, Alice was an absolute delight with an upbeat personality accompanied by thought-provoking responses to the questions she was asked. Read the full interview below.
Alice Eve:
Hi Ryan!
Film Fad (Ryan):
Hi Alice, how are you?
Alice Eve:
I’m good, how are you?
Film Fad (Ryan):
Doing pretty well. So more recently you did an independent film with Chris Evans titled “Before We Go” which he also directed.
Alice Eve:
I did? (laughs)
Film Fad (Ryan):
(laughs) Were there any challenges building chemistry with Chris since he was also giving direction on the set as well as acting?
Alice Eve:
You know, chemistry is either there or it isn’t so it really is an unknowable quantity. So, hopefully we had it. I certainly got along with him very well. I enjoyed the process of working with him and I didn’t find it to be difficult the fact that he was also directing although it might seem so, I found that to be a collaborative process. And there was the cinematographer John Guleserian and we kind of moved around New York together making this movie so it felt like a project rather than like I was on the outside of his experience. We all felt very together on it.
Film Fad (Ryan):
As a romance film, this film particularly carries a little bit more dialogue and it’s a more heavy and serious tone. I know you’ve also done some romantic comedies, for instance “She’s Out of My League.” Would you say it’s more difficult to develop onscreen chemistry in a romantic comedy or in a more serious romance like “Before We Go?”
Alice Eve:
I suppose it’s more important when the backbone of the piece is as you say, romantic, rather than comedic because in comedy there’s always another engine that’s running at the same time, which is to keep a certain beat alive, to keep the comedic energy alive. And in a romance you’re really pursuing a singular truth, which is the love story. And so, in that way chemistry is important for both and all really but it’s especially important for a romance.
Film Fad (Ryan):
So this is also a different style of romance. It’s almost a rarity today honestly. It’s more genuine with its conversation, almost like the film “Before Sunrise.” Other romances tend to be more rushed nowadays so why do you think more romance films tend to rush love rather than slowly developing it through conversation like “Before We Go?”
Alice Eve:
That’s a really good question. That’s like the first good question today. First off, this was a script that was written awhile ago by Ron Bass who wrote “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” He’s a recurring screenwriter so, that would be why it had a little more weight. But I think the complex reality is that we do go faster than we used to go. I don’t know if it’s necessarily the case with love, I married my high school sweetheart. We got back together and it took us a very long time so we went very slowly but I think that the pace of life now is just very very quick. I guess that you either fall in love or you don’t. If you get a Tinder date, you decide on a night I guess. Sometimes it takes some time to build love. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. Who knows? Change is good so hopefully it will bring lots of good things.
Film Fad (Ryan):
So given Chris’ role as Captain America, I also read that Marvel studios has been interested in you in the past for a couple roles. A more villainous role as the Thor villain maybe Enchantress. Is there any truth to this or any interest in playing a Marvel character?
Alice Eve:
You know I’m a huge fan of the Marvel movies. They obviously are hugely important in our society right now and the ability to kind of innovate cinema has been amazing. I think everyone into them should be grateful for them for reviving such an interest in it. It’s like a cult following on a massive scale now with these movies. So yeah, I’m a huge fan of theirs and I think Kevin [Feige] is an incredibly talented man who has turned this thing around. So, yeah if the thing was right, I’d love to talk to them.
Ryan’s Personal speculation:
Reiterating what I said before, I think that Alice is very talented and intelligent based on her career and our insightful conversation. While I’m not one for creating speculation, I do think that Marvel could be pursuing Alice in the future for a role in an upcoming film. Many fans have shared their approval for her playing Enchantress in the next Thor film and she too seems interested in working with Marvel. When she referenced Kevin Feige on a first name basis, I had the feeling that they had at least spoken in more detail than a casual run in. This does not mean that she necessarily has a role in a Marvel film, but I would expect that they have spoken about it. It also doesn’t hurt that she has Captain America (Chris Evans) on her side after he sought her out for a role in his film “Before We Go.” Think what you want from my perspective, but I say that it’s likely that something is in the works.
Film Fad (Ryan):
Would you say that you’re more in touch with romance films or maybe more like a sci-fi, superhero type role or action? You’ve had a few like “Men in Black” and “Star Trek Into Darkness.” What do you think has been more fun for your overall as an actress?
Alice Eve:
For me, it’s just so fun to be an actress honestly. I love my job so much. If I’m ever doing it, that’s a great, happy time for me. It isn’t really specific to the form. But yeah, I do feel it is important for me to do both. Because we’re quite complicated people and so there’s all sorts of sides to us so the same thing needs to be explored in cinema for me, like romance and action.
Film Fad (Ryan):
Alice what projects do you have that you’re looking forward to in the future?
Alice Eve:
I’d love you to mention a movie I made, it’s a short film called “Lithgow Saint” which is on the Curzon website which is based on an interview Helen Mirren gave in 1975 to Michael Parkinson. And it kind of plays with the idea that we may not have come too far in the format of interviewing and exploitation that kind of can ensue. This one is particularly sexist, the Parkinson one. So that’s a film I’m proud of and I’ve got some films I’m really proud of coming out next year. One of them is called “Beyond the Sea” with [Al] Pacino and Anthony Hopkins, but I don’t know if that will be what it’s called.
Film Fad (Ryan):
Well thank you so much Alice, I appreciate your time.
Alice Eve:
It was a pleasure to talk to you, thanks for your good questions.
Film Fad (Ryan):
Thank you too!
“Before We Go” is currently available on demand and for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray formats. You can also find the trailer for the controversially intriguing film “Lithgow Saint” below and more information at Curzon Home Cinema.