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"I Heart Huckabees" is the latest effort from (among others) Fox Searchlight Pictures and director David O. Russell ("Three Kings," "Flirting with Disaster"). This "existential comedy" merges stylish philosophy with slapstick genius to form a quirky film that stimulates the mind. It also doesn't hurt to have a cast of Hollywood juggernauts that includes Jude Law, Naomi Watts and Dustin Hoffman.
In the film, Albert Markovski (Jason Schwartzman) hires a pair of oddball existential detectives (played by Hoffman and Lily Tomlin) to investigate a series of bewildering coincidences. Things promptly take a turn for the chaotic when the duo probes to uncomfortable depths within Albert's life.
Miami native Jeff Baena receives his first major credit as co-writer of "Huckabees." I was fortunate enough to speak to Mr. Baena via telephone about the project.
Daily Texan: So where did the idea for "I Heart Huckabees" come from?
Jeff Baena: Well, I guess it started with an idea David [Russell] had for a short film in 1990. It was about a guy who would spy on people in a Chinese restaurant using a microphone. But he ended up using the money for that short on "Spanking the Monkey." He returned to the idea in 2000 ... he told me he had a dream about an existential detective.
DT: How were the co-writing responsibilities shared?
Baena: It was just a lot of back and forth on laptops - mainly in the chiropractor's office.
DT: Are we - as the audience - supposed to take the idea of existentialism seriously?
Baena: The existentialism was meant to be taken seriously, but I think that the characters are more important than the ideas. The way they represent themselves, and what they believe in is definitely more heroic than someone who blows up a car and just runs away. Their sincerity is very important. The existentialism dramatizes these polar ways of thinking - the humor makes it fun and accessible.
DT: The film obviously has an amazing cast - did you envision anyone in these roles as you wrote "Huckabees"?
Baena: We wrote the script for [Jason] Scwhartzman and [Mark] Wahlberg, and in my mind I always knew [Bernard Jaffe] would be Dustin Hoffman. Actually, we would come to Dustin Hoffman's house to write, and we would have to stop every five minutes so he could ask us questions or make us sandwiches. David always wanted Lily Tomlin - they have a great relationship from "Flirting with Disaster." We ended up getting Naomi Watts - who was our first choice - after we went away from her and then came back to her through a weird series of events. And then we wrote the Brad character for either Brad Pitt or Jude Law, and we got Jude Law.
DT: Was the part always written for Shania Twain, or was it "insert popstar here?"
Baena: When we were writing, we were always thinking Shania Twain. She represents that Midwestern sensibility of the Brad and Dawn characters.
DT: Is there anything you wish that you could go back and change after seeing the movie?
Baena: I would make it longer. The original script was 325 pages, which is about three times the norm for a feature film. Obviously, reducing is always the major issue. The original script was the fullest version and we had to - basically - boil it down to the essence. I honestly think it could have been a mini-series.
DT: This is your first major production credit - did you learn anything from the experience?
Baena: Just to listen to what everyone has to say - everyone is emotionally invested in the success of the film. People tend to come in their own little myopic bubble, where it is my way or the highway. Don't hold onto anything too preciously - everything seems essential, but if it is not a moving, organic piece - got to lose it. It is important to refresh your perspective.
DT: Anything you would like to say to future "Huckabees" audience members?
Baena: Don't be afraid! I think the film is really entertaining - it isn't meant to perplex or baffle anyone. I guess [Jason] Scwhartzman said it best: "This movie is like a train; it is propelled by comedy - the ideas are stowaways."
Jeff Baena is currently preparing to direct his own feature for Fox Searchlight Pictures.
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