American Express hosted a screening and after party for “Mr. Stache,” the winner of the 2010 American Express ‘My Movie Pitch,’ competition. The competition allows users the chance to pitch a movie and see the film come to life.
In comes Amy Smart and Rich Sommer who star in the film about a man who grows a mustache, but nobody likes his mustache, in fact they hate it and all his friends leave him. It’s a very serious drama about a man and his mustache!
GG: How did you get involved with “Mr. Stache”?
Rich Sommer: It was one of those very rare things for an actor, which is a straight offer. I got an email that was inviting me to just take the part. I read the script and I thought it was very unique and special. I loved it and I was very excited to get the opportunity.
The movie is all about a guy with a mustache, in your personal life, do you prefer facial hair or no facial hair?
For me, I prefer no facial hair, but I also prefer not having to do anything, so I am lazy and refuse to shave. It ends up being a lazy facial hair for me.
During the end of the movie, was that your baby?
That is my baby, my wife plays my sister in the movie. Very much a family affair.
How would you feel if your son got into acting?
Oh, not too great. It is not an easy profession. I think that he had a good time, but we felt a little dirty when it was done. Not because of anyone there, it just felt a little weird to make him do that.
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What’s next for you?
I just shot a few independent films over the winter. One is called “The Giant Mechanical Man,” directed by Lee Kirk. The other one is a movie called “Fair Haven,” written and directed by Tom O’Brien. I’ll be on an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” this summer and then I start shooting “Mad Men” season 5 late this summer.
How was it working with Larry David on “Curb Your Enthusiam”?
Amazing! I am a huge fan of that show and it felt like I was inside of my TV. I was sitting across from Larry David and Jeff Garland and they’re making each other laugh, and of course making me laugh, it was one of the best experiences of my career.
How was it working with adlibs as opposed to an actual script?
It’s different strokes for different folks. On “Mad Men” we are tightly scripted, we never ever stray from the script. That has its advantages because the writers are poets. On “Curb,” there’s not a single word of dialogue scripted and you end up with these very funny moments that would otherwise never happen. I think that both have their benefits.
How does it feel to be a part of AMC? They are killing it!
They ARE killing it! It’s great. The channel clearly has an eye for great television and they are willing to take risks. There is a show called “The Killing” which is so dark and upsetting, yet it’s some of the best TV out there right now. They really know what they’re doing.
