November 2, 2009

LA VIDA LOCAL

Matthew Broderick: Independent spirit

By Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald

Matthew Broderick doesn't mind doing the red carpet thing, but don't expect him to get all gussied up. In real life, the 47-year-old acts like the indie star he sometimes is.

Broderick popped into town Sunday to pick up a career achievement award and help pal, director Josh Goldin, promote Wonderful World at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. In the indie (picked up by Magnolia Pictures) Broderick plays a depressed, unemployed copy editor who goes through positive life changes after a friend falls ill.

Dressed casually in a button-down, blazer, jeans and sneakers, the still-boyish Producers star spoke about how much he enjoyed the role, despite his low salary.

``Independent films have a nice feeling sometimes just because you know the people who are there want to be there,'' he said, adding, ``usually because they're not being paid very well.''

Broderick, who has appeared in blockbusters (The Stepford Wives, Godzilla) as well as smaller fare like Election and You Can Count on Me, is looking for balance.

``It depends where the better material is,'' said the star of Off-Broadway's Starry Night, opening Nov. 23. ``I care more about the quality of the piece than the size of it.''

But big bucks -- especially for a new father of twins -- come in handy. ``The more fun parts for me tend to be in independent films,'' he said. ``But it's nice to be paid well.''