Keanu Reeves: Coachin' Hardball

We're used to seeing Keanu Reeves in heroic action films like The Matrix and Speed or in syrupy romances like A Walk in the Clouds or Sweet November. In Hardball, he plays a loser, a guy addicted to high stakes gambling who is badly in need of a soul. He finds it in the Chicago projects by helping guide a group of boys who, like him, desperately need a "win" in life. Keanu took on this more personal film as a labor of love. Despite the National American tragedy, Hardball opened this last Friday in the number one slot in the states. We spoke with Keanu briefly about his work in the film.

Teenhollywood: What were your initial reactions to the script for Hardball?

Keanu: I really enjoyed the writing. I found it funny and moving. My hope was that the audience would get it.

Teenhollywood: Was it a challenge to work with a lot of the kids who are first-time actors?

Keanu: I had a great time with the kids. They were great. They were focused and their interest in acting in the film was a joy to be around.

Teenhollywood: When they first met you, were they star struck? Could they get past The Matrix?

Keanu: Yeah, certainly. A couple of the kids had seen The Matrix and other films but sure.

Teenhollywood: How do you relate to your character (Conor O'Neill)? Do you like him?

Keanu: I liked him because I thought there was a goodness to him and I like his struggle. I liked how he was trying to work it out for himself and I liked his sense of humor. I liked how he was goofy around Diane Lane. I liked the respect he had for the kids.

Teenhollywood: There seems to bit a lot of mutual respect between Conor and the kids. Can he really identify with these kids?

Keanu: Yeah. He learns to know them and doesn't talk down to them. It's cool. I think if there was any identification, it was perhaps the father aspect. He also doesn't presume to understand what their lives are like.

Teenhollywood: What was working with Director Brian Robbins like?

Keanu: He's really good. I liked his interest in the material. I liked his camera position choices. I liked speaking with him about the piece. He has a point of view. He's a good communicator.

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Interviewer and writer Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.