In certain respects -- career longevity, resume diversity, body hair -- Danny DeVito has a lot in common with Robin Williams. In the nature of his star power, however, DeVito's path diverges sharply from that of his friend, colleague and, most recently, Smoochy-mate. Especially as a performer, he doesn't seem to inspire terribly strong feelings either way; I have never met an actual Danny DeVito fan. But what he does -- acting, directing underrated gems like Throw Momma from the Train, producing Get Shorty -- is granite-solid, and usually commendable. On the phone from the West Coast, he radiates sincerity but with a huckster's confidence, and he seems almost ridiculously grateful for his success; while he doesn't get a whole lotta love, he gets truckloads of "like." Last week, DeVito took some time out of his busy schedule shilling his latest acting/directorial baby, Death to Smoochy, to, um, shill Smoochy. But sincerely. I think.
STREET: Death to Smoochy is a little unusual. I mean, it's not your typical killing furry children's show hosts movie.
DEVITO: Yeah, yeah (laughing). It's different from anything you've ever seen before. And it's really not for kids, and it's not pigeon-holed into anything. How many movies can you name that are exactly like it or anywhere near like it? I think its uniqueness is something you can sell.
Were you ever a little bit worried about shooting this script? I mean, after, say, Matilda [his last directorial venture], it has to be a little risky.
That's what life is all about as an artist. Whether you're a painter, photographer, filmmaker, musician, whatever. It's more exciting for you as an artist to take that risk, as long as you're really not hurting anybody besides a couple of really lousy characters that you don't mind hurting. The risks are part of the joy of it.
And speaking of those lousy characters, this cast is pretty fantastic. Were they more fun to act with or to direct?
The experience was really exciting, but when you have people who are very prone to improvise and constantly have a lot of fun, your experience is broadened and is made more exciting. I allowed Robin and Jon [Stewart], Edward [Norton] and Catherine [Keener] to have a few takes where they just let loose. The one person that you have to be careful to say that to is Robin because he just goes.
I know. How'd you score these people?
The script. It's just a killer. It brought them in the tent. Robin was just natural. Edward was an interesting one. When I was reading the part I was thinking of him, I thought "innocence," "boyish". and when he came in, he thought I'd sent him the script to play Rainbow Randolph. I had to say, "No, no, no, man. I want you for Smoochy." He lit up like a Christmas tree.
