Diaz, Marsden, Kelly discuss upcoming thriller 'The Box'
Katie O'Donnell
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Arts & Society
Kelly wasn't concerned about whether or not audiences would respond to a story that takes place over thirty years ago. Norma and Arthur Lewis, he explained, are a typical married couple under the age of forty who have a child and are facing the inevitable consequences of living beyond their means. The couple has a mortgage to pay, a car that is a little above their budget, and a son in an expensive private school, all while living on credit.
In light of the current economic crisis, the director believes the film "resonates with the audience of today despite the fact that it's set in 1976." He also said he hopes the movie makes the point "that we all are trying to live a better life and to achieve a better life, but…a lot of times it's all about the things that we strive to possess and this lifestyle that we want to achieve."Â
Diaz added, "[Society is] pushing the button more than ever" in terms of irresponsible use of credit as well as poor business and environmental practices.
Concurring with Kelly, she said, "I think it's obvious that people do sort of put forth the idea of …having monetary wealth over any other wealth, especially in our culture and society…and you know some people you know are able to let it go and move on and find their happiness or find something else that fulfills them and some people go ahead and push the button."
Referring to her character's moral dilemma, Diaz replied, "[Norma] wanted to believe that she could push a button and everything could change in her life for the better." She continued, "ultimately [pushing the button] does have an effect you know and we do have to suffer the consequences of that. Our economy is doing so right now based on all the buttons that were pushed over the last few years…so I think it's very relevant."Â
Working in a genre- sci-fi -in which neither Diaz or Mardsen had much experience, they both had positive things to say.
Although Mdasen's work in the "X-Men" movie series involved some fantasy elements, he said "it was great to do something different." He admitted, however, that the human drama at the heart of the story was the main draw to the project. On a day-to-day basis, he explained that it was "more about the script we were shooting, the characters we were playing, because these characters were very human, although surrounded by some…supernatural elements."
"And I love…the liberties that sci-fi can take," Diaz quipped. Talking about Kelly, she added, "[sci-fi] seems to be his natural source of inspiration…it was fun to watch him do that and create that world."
In light of the current economic crisis, the director believes the film "resonates with the audience of today despite the fact that it's set in 1976." He also said he hopes the movie makes the point "that we all are trying to live a better life and to achieve a better life, but…a lot of times it's all about the things that we strive to possess and this lifestyle that we want to achieve."Â
Diaz added, "[Society is] pushing the button more than ever" in terms of irresponsible use of credit as well as poor business and environmental practices.
Concurring with Kelly, she said, "I think it's obvious that people do sort of put forth the idea of …having monetary wealth over any other wealth, especially in our culture and society…and you know some people you know are able to let it go and move on and find their happiness or find something else that fulfills them and some people go ahead and push the button."
Referring to her character's moral dilemma, Diaz replied, "[Norma] wanted to believe that she could push a button and everything could change in her life for the better." She continued, "ultimately [pushing the button] does have an effect you know and we do have to suffer the consequences of that. Our economy is doing so right now based on all the buttons that were pushed over the last few years…so I think it's very relevant."Â
Working in a genre- sci-fi -in which neither Diaz or Mardsen had much experience, they both had positive things to say.
Although Mdasen's work in the "X-Men" movie series involved some fantasy elements, he said "it was great to do something different." He admitted, however, that the human drama at the heart of the story was the main draw to the project. On a day-to-day basis, he explained that it was "more about the script we were shooting, the characters we were playing, because these characters were very human, although surrounded by some…supernatural elements."
"And I love…the liberties that sci-fi can take," Diaz quipped. Talking about Kelly, she added, "[sci-fi] seems to be his natural source of inspiration…it was fun to watch him do that and create that world."
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