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Robin Williams is up to familiar comedy tricks in 'Old Dogs'
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Robin Williams
Robin Williams’ movies released in 2009 have been a mixed bag of comedies from major studios ("Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and "Old Dogs") to little-seen independent flicks ("World’s Greatest Dad" and "Shrink"). The Oscar-winning actor is back in familiar territory with "Old Dogs," a movie that showcases his brand of physical comedy.
In "Old Dogs," Williams plays a marketing executive named Dan, who suddenly finds out that he fathered 7-year-old twins with his ex-wife, Vicki (played by Kelly Preston), whom he hadn’t been in contact years after their quickie marriage was annulled. When Vicki has to spend time in jail for trespassing, she leaves the twins, Zach and Emily (played by Conner Rayburn and Ella Bleu Travolta), in the care of Dan and his best friend and business partner, Charlie (played by John Travolta), who is a confirmed bachelor and womanizer. Williams talked about his "Old Dogs" experience in this interview.
Can you summarize the plot of "Old Dogs" for people who aren’t familiar with the movie?
It’s basically the story of two, as we say, gentlemen who are past 40, and are running a sports marketing firm. And one of them has been given the great gift that he is the father of two children — 7-year-old fraternal twins — and he’s forced to deal with that and at one point is forced to take care of them in the midst of his business.
John Travolta and Robin Williams in "Old Dogs"
How would you describe John Travolta?
John’s a kick. He’s not afraid to try stuff. A lot of the stuff is very physical, and that’s been good. He throws it back. If you throw it down, he will come and meet you right there in the same place, which is great.
Ella Bleu Travolta, Robin Williams and Conner Rayburn in "Old Dogs"
What was it like working with Kelly Preston, who’s John Travolta’s wife in real life?
The bottom line is: Kelly’s hot! Hot and funny. And for a comic, that’s pretty much all we need. That and a pair of big shoes. She kicks. She’s like John [Travolta]. She’ll play, she’s fearless. She’s cheaper than Prozac, if I may say that.
What can audiences expect when they see "Old Dogs"?
It’s comedy. If you were looking for drama, you should’ve known by the title. It would be a "Chien Ans de Lieu" if it were a French movie. The Japanese will call this "Crazy Puppy Moving On." But it’s a comedy. And pretty much anybody we can find has cameos. It’s like "Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Mad, Mad World."
Robin Williams and John Travolta in "Old Dogs"
Can you elaborate on who made cameos in "Old Dogs"?
Matt Dillon, Bernie Mac, Reba … Rita Wilson, not Reba McEntire. [He says in jokingly] We tried to get her but she was busy on the road. I don’t know whose markers were called in. I don’t know if Walt [Becker, the director of "Old Dogs"] has pictures of them and a goat, but they’re there. And everybody came in and was really funny, which helps in a comedy.
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Photo credits: Photo #1: Reuters. Photos #2, 3, 4: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
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