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Sometimes, what stalkers enjoy is the thrill of the chase. If you're trying to shake off a pesky admirer, here's an idea: Let him touch your bum.
Hey, it's not OUR idea. Credit that to Jennifer Aniston's character in her new romantic-comedy Management.
Hollywood's reigning Queen Of Rom-Coms plays Sue Claussen, a travelling saleswoman who checks into a provincial motel and catches the fancy of Mike the assistant manager, played by Sunshine Cleaning's Steve Zahn.
After Mike knocks on her motel room door one too many times with a bottle of champagne "compliments of the management", Sue invites him to touch her butt - after which he has to go away. A hilariously awkward scene ensues.
The idea is that if you give him a little somethin' somethin', having gotten more than he expected, he'll lose interest and disappear.
Only when Sue leaves, this particular stalker risks it all and follows her across the country, only to discover that this is unacceptable behaviour - but then, of course, they both learn something about themselves along the way.
Okay, so that trick obviously didn't work for her but it sure turns out great for the dude. Aniston and Zahn have great chemistry in the film - and, in real life, she can't stop gushing about what a sweet guy he is, too. Chalk one up for the beta male.
I saw your movie - very interesting and fun. I was shocked seeing Jen letting Steve touch her butt!
That shocked you? What shocked you?
You bent over and everything. That was a little erotic, right?
Yeah, I made it easy for him. I've never seen anything like that in a script. Never. Isn't that funny? Very chemical, very odd, very cold and very sterile. And Steve and I were like: "Okay, this is happening."
What was it like to shoot that scene? Were you comfortable with each other?
Are you kidding? Oh, please. It's hysterical. We had a hard time getting through it because we couldn't stop laughing.
How many takes did you do of the touch-her-butt scene?
We did a lot of takes! From many set-ups, angles... It's so fun to do a job where you laugh so hard, and you can't get through the scene. That was a hard scene. Steve thought that the movie would suck because we had too much fun - because you either get a good experience, crappy movie, or crappy experience and a great movie.
How did you get ready for the big love scene?
That was so odd and unusual, this scene in this movie. It was so great - just a spontaneous explosion.
Was there give and take when you're thinking of these characters? It's kind of sweet that he's following her around the country but it's also quite creepy.
But with Steve playing it, there's just nothing creepy about it. That's what's so bizarre. But if you put him in the wrong hands, you'll be like: "Psycho!" He's so genuine. He never doubted for a second that this was not going to happen.
How do you know if the chemistry between you and Steve is going to work?
You don't. You just go: "God, hope it works!" That was just luck - we were just instant. It was absolute, like mutual admiration. We just loved each other. Love, love, love! And we knew each other - we did a movie together a long time ago ... And he was also in Friends!
You've done romantic comedies with the best of the business like Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson and the geniuses - how does Steve match up?
He is so refreshing, not only because he is so ridiculously funny - he is just an amazing actor. And the other guys, yeah, they're something.
Was it freeing to work on a film that seems very small and obviously intimate compared to a larger big-budget Hollywood film?
They're different. I mean, everyone's different. It's freeing because I get to play a great character and not be that person that I normally - or am expected to - play. Although it's freeing, it's also more challenging ... You know, you transform. You have the J C Penny suits, you have the horrible shoes - I mean, that's fun! The minute you have that outlook on, you're just a different person. So that's freeing.
You have to travel a lot for work, obviously. What's your favourite hotel alias to check in as?
Why would I want to tell you my favourite when I will never ever get to use it again?
Do you have one that you don't use anymore?
No, I've been lucky! I've had the same one I've had for years! I'm trying to remember ... I can give away other people's!
Interview transcript courtesy of Festive Films. Management opens in cinemas Thursday.
- TODAYyb
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