When Dane Cook was 3, he was attacked – and almost killed, he says – by a
German shepherd. Beneath his hair is a zigzagging scar that became etched
into his cranium after receiving nearly 80 stitches. Following the
disclosure of this “fun fact,” as he coyly calls it, the actor-comedian uses
the opportunity to tell a joke.
“Hopefully, someday, I’ll play a
James Bond villain,” he says. “I’ll shave my head, so you can see all the
ravines.”
Such a role would probably have more bite than Cook’s
previous efforts on the big screen. Like as Dennis Rodman’s wisecracking
sidekick in the forgettable 1999 action flick “Simon Sez.” Or as a slacker
stock boy who falls for a big-eared cashier played by Jessica Simpson in the
zany 2006 romantic comedy “Employee of the Month.” And even as Jessica
Alba’s cursed love interest in the 2007 sex romp “Good Luck Chuck.”
These days, instead of a German shepherd, it’s film critics who
chomp at Cook. The 36-year-old supercomedian most famous – or infamous,
depending on who you ask – for gurgling cultural insights and sexually
charged material in front of sold-out crowds has consistently been dubbed
unfunny by movie critics, despite his continued success as stand-up
comedian.
Other than a serious turn as a wannabe serial killer in the 2007
thriller “Mr. Brooks” starring Kevin Costner, Cook’s attempts to sidestep
from the stage to screen have been poorly received. Cook is aware of such
shortcomings, referring to his filmography as a “highlight reel.”
“I
don’t believe I watch any of my previous comedies and say, as a complete
story, I’m interested in watching this from beginning, middle to end,” Cook
says during an interview at the Four Seasons Hotel.
That may
change with his latest effort, the R-rated romantic comedy “My Best Friend’s
Girl,” which opens Sept. 19.
“This is the one where I look at it
and think there’s a character and a real evolution with this guy,” he
says.
Cook hopes this movie will be the one to conclusively bring
the cream of his comedy routine to the big screen. That doesn’t mean Cook is
in search of critical acclaim. He’s still more interested in the opinions of
his 2 million MySpace friends and counting than from the thrashing jaws of
film critics.
“With ‘(Good Luck) Chuck’ or ‘Employee of the
Month,’ I was playing the levelheaded middle, carrying the film at the
center with a lot of craziness going on around me,” says Cook, looking
casual in jeans and a white T-shirt. “I finally wanted an opportunity to
take some of the elements of my stand-up and mix it together with a fun
story.”
In the film, Cook plays Tank Turner, an air purifier
call-center supervisor by day, anti-Cupid by night. He’s a suave emotional
terrorist for hire by freshly dumped guys. For a fee, Tank will subject
their ex-girlfriends to the worst date of their lives in hopes they go
running back to their respective boyfriends. They usually do.
While
this bad-boy role most closely resembles Cook’s on-stage antics, he’s quick
to point out that the goofball who gleefully recounts one-night-stands in
comedy clubs isn’t really him. And neither is Tank. Cook says he based much
of the character on his best friend, comedian Robert Kelly, as well as
Johnny Cash and Brain from “Pinky and the Brain.”
“I’m much more
introverted and shy, contrary to popular belief,” he says. “Tank is fearless
and always on the cusp, taking lewd and lascivious behavior to a whole other
level, but he has a heart of gold because he’s ultimately doing this to give
people a second chance.
Tank’s game changes when he meets – all
together now – his best friend’s girl, who gnaws through Tank’s bravado
after a drunken tryst. The best friend is played by Jason Biggs from the
“American Pie” films. Kate Hudson from “Fool’s Gold” serves as the girl.
Alec Baldwin also portrays Tank’s lecherous father in a handful of
scenes.
“I definitely like an ensemble like this more,” says
Cook. “I love that I got to work with Alec, Kate and Jason on this movie.
These people bring a high caliber of talent to the table. I frequently get
to live that writer-director-actor role as a comedian, so I crave different
kinds of opportunities when I’m not doing stand-up.”
To prepare
for steamy kissing scenes with bombshell leading ladies such as Hudson, Alba
and Simpson, Cook says he’s developed a tradition. Before production begins,
he nonchalantly asks his co-stars what’s their favorite flavor of gum or
mint. Hudson’s pick? Lifesavers Pep-o-Mint. Stormy breath aside, such scenes
still make Cook giddy.
“You tend to go back to how you felt when
you were in high school,” says Cook. “Even though you’re professional
actors, you come to those scenes wondering things like: Are you going to be
mad if I kiss you? Do I put my hands on the small of your back or can I go
lower? Is that too low? Can you draw a map of where I can touch you?”
After
enduring “are they or aren’t they?” rumors while working with Simpson, Cook
is now keeping tightlipped about his love life. He won’t say whether he
lives alone in his recently purchased first home. Following years of renting
– and fighting eviction from his West Hollywood apartment complex in July –
he bought a house in the Hollywood Hills.
“It’s got an energy,” Cook says of the four-bedroom enclave. “It’s
got a certain feng shui. I was looking for a couple of years for the perfect
spot, never thinking I would find one. I was looking for a place that I
needed to live up to. I think it’s going to keep me comfortable. It’ll be my
little Fortress of Solitude.”
Whether “My Best Friend’s Girl”
lands on its feet or its head in movie theaters, the seemingly unstoppable
Cook has no plans to completely fly away from his comedy roots. He’s
currently working on his fourth comedy album – the last as part of his
four-record deal with Comedy Central – as well as plotting an accompanying
comedy TV special and tour.
