The Big Interview Vince Vaughn Hottest swinger in wanted to make a movie thats pro-marriage, thats pro-kids and pro-family. If you want relationships to go well, youve got to put some effort into it. Its not always gonna be easy but the good outweighs the bad. Vince Vaughn, is that really you? Thrust into the spotlight in 1996 when he and his writing partner and best pal Jon Favreau co-wrote and starred in the cult classic Swingers, Vaughn was the cocky skirt- chaser to Favreaus broken-hearted straight-man. More gregarious, testosterone-riddled roles followed (Dodgeball, Wedding Crashers and The Break-Up), plus a few oddballs (Psycho, The Cell) and curveballs (Thumbsucker, Into The Wild) making Vaughn not only one of Hollywoods most bankable stars but also the most beddable. Now happily engaged to a civilian, the 39-year-old actor stars in Couples Retreat, a yarn he co-authored with Favreau about a group of friends who jet off to a paradise island resort and end up in compulsory couples counselling. The movie may take a pop at relationship therapy but Vaughn is adamant its not autobiographical. You know, Ive never gone to therapy really but I know people who have and like it so good for them, he says. But I think that some people get so lost in analysis when the real answer is not to try and solve everything but to make sure you have fun with each other sometimes. The film also takes more than one or two some swipes at yoga practitioners. I went to a class with a girlfriend about ten years ago, and the teacher was pretty much dry-humping all the ladies. I was like, Hey, hes no spiritual guru, hes a pervert! So I thought itd be fun to take these couples and put them in that situation. I Hypothetically fun, that is; Couples Retreat is not Vaughns finest hour, despite a stellar cast that includes Jean Reno, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis and Kristen Bell. Still, the film, at the time of writing, is No.1 at the American box office, and No.2 in Ireland. When asked about any celluloid regrets Vaughn is diplomatic: I feel pretty good that Ive always tried to do things that Im interested in to make movies for regular folks, that I would wanna see. Some things have turned out better than others but Ive always tried to do my best every time. Its a dignified response for someone who has been routinely knocked by critics for a somewhat chequered career low points being Old School, Fred Claus, Four Christmases that has nonetheless reaped box office rewards along the way. But its the enduring success of Swingers that has kept Vaughn in the affections of audiences, the low-budget sleeper hits longevity still a surprise to the Chicago-born actor. Its funny, we made Swingers and the movie didnt get into Sundance or the Independent Spirit Awards, he smiles. But as the years pass, it has been remembered more and more fondly. Its similar to The Break-Up the critics were a little rough on it, and then it won a bunch of Peoples Choice awards. V aughn is particularly proud of Swingers uncompromising vision that he and Favreau never altered their script despite industry pressure to conform to specific narrative structures. It was about a really specific LA neighbourhood, he says. And when we took it to people they said No one in the world listens to swing music at that age. We felt very strongly that we were being authentic to a moment of life: you break up with a girl, you havent dated Some things have turned out better than others but Ive always tried to do my best every time Teaming up again with Swingers writer Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn tells Lucy White about new flick Couples Retreat, naysayers and yoga perverts Clowns Without Borders In Town Tonight A fundraiser in aid of disadvantaged children in South Africa featuring Cathy Davey, Neil Hannon, Maeve Higgins, David ODoherty, The Rubberbandits and Warlords of Pez. With much clowning around Tonight, Whelans, 25 Wexford Street D2, 8pm, 15. Tel: 1890 200 078. www.cwbireland.com Handsome Furs Husband and wife electronica outfit Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) and Alexei Perry play tracks from new LP Face Control, whose sound owes as much to the natural landscape as world politics Tonight, The Academy, 57 Middle Abbey Street D1, 8pm, 16.50. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.theacademydublin.com Gay Theatre Festival The Gay Theatre Festival presents its first winter schedule, a week long offering featuring Zimbabwes award- winning comedy Loupe (pictured, Outhouse), a series of theatre shorts (Cobalt Caf), comedian Gearid Farrelly (Outhouse) and more Until Sat, various venues, various prices. Tel: (01) 677 8511. www.gaytheatre.ie metro Arts & Entertainment life Book Now Jamie Cullum ON MY iPOD Jay McMahon from Grades Of Shades six-track mix 12 metrolife Tuesday, October 27, 2009 15 Step by Radiohead In truth I have never really stopped listening to this track. The beats make you feel epileptic, the bassline makes you feel comatose, then it all explodes like a happy nervous breakdown. Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy The Prodigy do it like they used to in the 1990s and Omen screams into your earphones as if its demanding you turn the volume up to infinity and blast it for the universe to hear. The Music Takes Me Up by Mr Scruff The beats and very simplistic use of piano create the perfect track. The vocals are spot on too, with Alice Russell giving Scruffington an amazing lead vocal to make this one of the most accessible tracks you will ever hear. Melody AM by Ryksopp Theres no point in me going on and on about one track from this album as each one is as different and as good as the last. I think it stands up against anything anyones done since its release in 2002. Ultra by KMFDM Sonic adrenaline is all I can say about this. This is the song I hear on a loop in my brain before I go on stage. Makes you feel like taking on the world... naked... Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal The song of summer 2009. This was the song of choice at all the festivals. In between performances at Oxegen they played this on the big screens all weekend long. And I never once got sick of it. Dizzee is a legend. Grades Of Shades album OK4U is out now. www.myspace.com/gradesofshade The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town We have a pair of tickets to see Jamie Cullum May 9, 2010 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. Who is Jamie Cullum engaged to? A Sophie Dahl B Amy Huberman The winner of Fridays tickets to see The Buzzcocks are: Denise Judge, Danny Ahern and Auburn Spinner The pint-sized pianist might have been in the newspapers more for his leggy blonde fiance than for his music of late, but thats set to change with the release of Cullums fifth album, The Pursuit. If opening track Im All Over It featuring the Count Basie Orchestra and recorded at Tony Bennetts studio in New York is anything to go by, Cullum has been calling in some famous friends for a dig out. Not that he needs the help. The 29-year-old is a talent in his own right who has single-handedly brought jazz to a new generation May 9, 2010, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, 44.20. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.jamiecullum.com index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html