Film Interview John Krasinski Greatexpectation Cuddly: Krasinksi plays one half of happy couple Burt and Verona ts just as well John Krasinski didnt listen to Sam Mendes. If he had, the Massachusetts-born actor probably wouldnt have ended up playing Jim in the ultra-successful US version of The Office. It was British director Mendes while working with Krasinski on Gulf War movie Jarhead who told him that playing in a remake of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchants hit Slough-set comedy was a terrible idea. Anybody in the States who had seen it said the same thing, says Krasinski, as we kick back over coffee in his hotel suite. Americans have a tendency to screw up good stuff. Luckily, with The Office they didnt. And with the boy-next-door-handsome Krasinski emerging as one of the stars of the show, hes now rising steadily up the Hollywood ladder with roles in hit films such as The Holiday, Leatherheads and Dreamgirls. He evidently doesnt hold any grudges against Mendes either, for the two have reunited for the directors latest film, Away We Go. Unlike his blink-and-youll-miss-it part in Jarhead (the best seven seconds of my life, he laughs), he takes the male lead, Burt, who together with his partner Verona (Maya Rudolph) is imminently expecting their first child. With the couple uncertain where to settle down in the US, they set out on a road trip to find their place in the world, visiting all manner of friends and relatives along the way. The script was written by husband-and-wife authors Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, and Krasinski admits he found its gentle nature refreshing. Im sure my parents are saying: Finally, somebody wrote a movie about two people who are actually in love, he says. What I liked is that its not a relationship movie about the two of them. Its them together taking on the world. Currently engaged to British actress Emily Blunt, Krasinski who turns 30 next month admits he can fully relate to the issues the film raises. This movie I deals with what Im going through and what my friends are going through. Were all looking to find that someone and were wondering: Are we going to have kids someday? So is he? I am lucky enough to be surrounded by people who make parenting look very easy, he replies. My parents were incredible. And then I think it rubbed off on my two brothers, who have great kids. I get to be Uncle John and the best part about that is any time they start crying, you can hand them over. Fantastic! So Ive always looked at having kids as an amazing opportunity just not yet. Its not one of those things I want to do until Im fully ready for it. S till, Krasinski, who is as genial in real life as he is on screen, seems the sort of person who turns on a dime. With his father a doctor and his mother a nurse, he had dreams of becoming an English teacher until the day he graduated. I totally thought Id have the leather patches on my elbows, he grins. But after the acting bug hit he had already had a bit part in David Mamets State And Main while still at college he changed direction. Even then, he spent three years waiting tables in New York rather than getting roles. I was days away from pulling out of the business altogether, he reveals. In those moments, you do think: What am I doing? This early instability is arguably why Krasinski is now quite happy to continue playing The Offices lovelorn Jim. Hes now shooting the shows sixth season, having just completed romantic comedy Its Complicated with Meryl Streep. But hes not complaining about the punishing workload. He recalls his time on the George Clooney-directed comedy Leatherheads. I didnt have a day off for two-and-a-half months and I remember one of the crew said that was a crazy schedule and I said: Yeah, but its all part of the game. And George leaned back and was, like: Youre goddamn right its part of the game! This is your shot. Youve got to take it. And I know better than anyone that at any time this whole thing could go away. Away We Go is in cinemas from Fri. Finally, somebody wrote a movie about two people who are actually in love. Its not a relationship movie about the two of them. Its them together taking on the world The US actor tells James Mottram how his new role as a madly in love dad-to-be doesnt yet fit with reality Beatriz by Monica Salmaso: A superb version of one of the greatest Chico Buarque songs by a lesser- known San Paolo singer with the most beautiful, buttery voice. Zahori by Jon Balke: A track from the latest ECM CD featuring modern jazz, an early music ensemble and Arabic singing all my favourites. Nihavend Semai by Derya Trkan: Turkish classical music with great improvisations by French jazz double bass virtuoso Renaud Garcia-Fons. Daramad by Ali Reza Ghorbani: Some of the most amazing singing I have ever heard from one of the young masters of Persian classical singing. Prism by Nelson Veras: A lyrical and beautiful version of a Keith Jarrett classic performed and sung by the extremely talented guitarist Nelson Veras, who deserves wider recognition. Sarabande Nouvelle by Christian Wallumrd: This amazing recording changed my whole vision and approach to jazz. In particular this painfully beautiful melody somewhere between contemporary classical music, jazz and early music featuring amazing trumpet playing by Arve Henriksen. Francesco Turrisi Trio perform tonight at the National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace D2, 8pm, 15. Tel: (01) 417 0000. www.francescoturrisi.com On My iPod Jazz pianist Francesco Turrisis six-track mix Camille OSullivan In Town Tonight Practically part of the Spiegeltent furniture though better-looking and more talented the comely chanteuse and last years Meteor nominee returns following a string of sell-out shows in New York, London and Sydneys Opera House Tonight, Spiegeltent, Georges Dock, D1, 9.30pm, 26.50 (returns only). Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com The Infant Charting the demise of the nuclear family, Oliver Lansleys play focusses on a four-year-olds doodles. Are they the normal scribbles of a child or a plan for world destruction? And whos to blame: society or his parents? Until Sat, St Marys Abbey, off Capel Street D1, 6.30pm, 13 to 15. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com Charlie Parr Too Much Liquor And Not Enough Gasolene now theres an album title. The Minnesota string-picker is back after a backroom bar-style set at Electric Picnic, blending Piedmont blues, original folk, grog love and hymns to dead cats Tonight, Whelans, 25 Wexford Street D2, 7.30pm & 11pm, 10. Tel: (01) 478 0766. www.charlieparr.com metro Arts & Entertainment life Book Now Melody Gardot Knocked off her bike at the age of 19, Gardot turned to music for rehab. Already a dab hand at the piano, she picked up the guitar during her year-long spell in hospital... and the rest is history. She now has two albums under her belt, the second of which, My One And Only Thrill, was released in April. Fusing original piano-based jazz with elements of samba plus a cover version of Over The Rainbow the record was received favourably and shot to No.2 in the US Billboard charts for Top Jazz Album, reaching No.4 in France. All that and shes only 24 years old. Nov 19, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, 28. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.melodygardot.co.uk 12 metrolife Wednesday, September 16, 2009 THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN We have three pairs of tickets to see MELODY GARDOT Nov 19 at the Olympia, 7.30pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Which song synonymous with Judy Garland features on Gardots current album My One And Only Thrill? A. Get Happy B. Over The Rainbow The winner of yesterdays tickets to see Crash Test Cabaret is: Gerry Banks index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html