April 24, 2008

Matthew Broderick: From Boy to Man

The actor known for being young at heart talks about growing up in front of the cameras and why he teamed up with Helen Hunt again.

By Carla Hay, Lifetime

Matthew Broderick has long since moved on from the mischievous-young-man roles that were his trademark in the ’80s. But at 46, this versatile actor (and husband of Sarah Jessica Parker) can still bring a boyish quality to his roles. In the dramedy “Then She Found Me,” he plays an immature husband named Ben, who leaves his wife, April (Helen Hunt), shortly before April’s birth mother tries to reunite with her. “Then She Found Me” is Hunt’s debut as a feature-film director, and she also served as a writer and producer of the film. Broderick recently chatted with myLifetime.com about making “Then She Found Me,” how he relives his childhood through his son, and what he thinks about keeping in touch with former costars.

How did you get into this character’s psyche, since he’s such an immature character?

From the script, mostly. And I can identify with him. And then you pick it scene by scene — what’s happening when you put it all together and if it makes sense. I don’t have a general way of approaching it, like, “Now I’m going to put on my ‘unlikable’ hat.” I just do each scene and see how it comes out.

How did you reconnect with Helen Hunt to do this movie?

We did “Project X” a long time ago together. The script [for “Then She Found Me”] came through my agent … I was in Europe when I read it. I had to call [Helen] from Ireland … I heard that she was directing and I was delighted. It seems like a very natural fit for her. She’s very smart. She’s been in film and TV since she was a child. And I think it’s hard for people to find material they like. This is her way to make the next step in her career. I was very happy to be part of it.

Did you read the book “Then She Found Me”?

I didn’t read the novel. I don’t know why. I never even thought of it. It depends. If I were playing the lead in something, I would definitely want to know the source. On the other hand, it has to work on its own terms. People watching [the movie] I don’t think will have read the book, and even if they have, it either works in this version or it doesn’t. But that said, reading it might have helped me have some kind of deeper understanding of [Helen Hunt’s] character.

Since you have a young son, is there anything from your childhood that you’ve had fun introducing to him?

The books that I read are so old to him, but any book that I read to him I’ve had great pleasure doing it. I’ve read the Beatrix Potter books … and then there are other things. Like he has a video game [system] named Wii, which I didn’t think I’d like as much as I do. I like playing catch with him and teaching him about sports. He just got a little scooter, which is pretty fun. I think part of the joy of having children is that you get to revisit some of those [things from your childhood]. He has a little pinball machine, but pinball just seems to be dead.

Which of your previous roles do fans approach you on the street about the most?

I get approached about “Ferris Bueller.” I’m very happy that [the appeal] lasted. It’s great. People approach me about “The Producers” a little bit and various other things.

Do you stay in touch with any of your other former costars?

The first couple of jobs I had, I stayed in touch, which is common with young actors. You feel like a family. As the years go by, you start to lose touch with everybody. And also eventually you get more — not bitter — but more reality-based, about how these are not our family. Some people I stay in touch with, and it’s nice to stay in touch with them. There’s a lot of people I’m very close to when I’m in a play, but I’ll barely see [them] a year or two later. That’s just how it is.