I was recently invited to interview two of the stars of the new comedy The Other Woman. Leslie Mann plays the main character Kate who has been cheated on by her husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones) and newcomer and Supermodel Kate Upton who plays Amber, one of her husband’s mistresses (the other mistress being Carly played by Cameron Diaz).

Synopsis:
After discovering her boyfriend (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is married, a woman (Cameron Diaz) tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he’s been cheating on (Leslie Mann), she realises they have much in common and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered (Kate Upton), all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on the cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.

Your Local Guardian:

Leslie Mann

YLG: The film is about betrayal and being cheated on. Has this ever happened to you in real life?

Leslie: When I was younger my boyfriend was cheating on me. His friend knew this so I asked him but he wouldn’t tell me. When I saw my boyfriend next I lied to him and said his friend told me everything. He was like “He told you?” and I was like "I knew it!”. He felt really guilty and there were a lot of make up presents, a lot of gifts and two weeks later I took the presents and then broke up with him!

YLG: So the film was a bit close to the truth then?

Leslie: Yeah... but I didn't make his hair fall out or anything. (In reference to what happens in the movie)

YLG: Or make his nipples grow larger?

Leslie: (Laughing) Yeah like we did with Niki's character.

Your Local Guardian:
Kate Upton

Kate: For me the best revenge is just walking away.

YLG: So you're the better person?

Kate: Absolutely.

YLG: It's an interesting thing when someone has been cheated on they seem to blame the person who they have been cheating with. In that you don't want to blame your partner because you still have feelings for them.

Leslie: Right...right.

YLG: But in this film you go to the Cameron Diaz character, Carly and she turns out not to be a bitch at all.

Leslie: Yeah, well her character didn't know he was married.

Kate: I think if the other person doesn't know, then who better to detest the man with someone who knows him intimately. If they do know then there's two parties involved and they're both to blame (laughter)

YLG: Can we talk about the dynamics of the three of you because you just seemed to have so much fun and I can't imagine that it wasn't as much fun off camera as well?

Leslie: Yeah...we did have so much fun.

Kate: It felt as though it was even more fun off camera.

Leslie: It was great when we all celebrated Kate's twenty first birthday.

Kate: Actually everyone was dancing on the bar on my birthday.

Leslie: And Kate gave me a piggy back ride. Then we had Thursday in a little town in the Hampton's when we had a party.

Your Local Guardian:

YLG: Kate, I believe this is your first proper film role after The Three Stooges and Tower Heist?

Kate: Yeah it was for sure my first film. I didn't know what to expect, in modelling nobody helps you when you first start out. And I assumed I'd have to figure it out for myself. But from the minute I walked on set Cameron and Leslie were there for me. I knew I could ask them anything. I think we built up a real friendship.

Leslie: Yeah...because it could have gone the other way. (Laughing)
But she was so great, super prepared, super funny and so able to improvise which is hard and takes a lot of guts. She was awesome and Kate had us all cracking up.

YLG: So Leslie, you've played the wife quite a few times. Like in Knocked Up, This is 40 and Funny People but this time the wife appeared as though she had had 4 or 5 espresso’s (all laughing) and she was completely hyper. This role was also a lot more physical than previous characters you played. Did you take inspiration from various other characters and was this more you?

Leslie: Well, when I met the director Nick Cassavetes he said I want her (Kate) to be the person who is in love with everyone. You know...and loves everything, the beautiful trees and flowers and she's just very excited about life. I thought that sounds like fun, I want to be that person. And it made me happier while I was shooting. It was great to act like that all day long.
The physical stuff wasn't in the script. Cameron and I just kinda have this connection.

YLG: Like the scene with Cameron's character Carly trying to get the drunken Kate into the car?

Leslie: Yeah...that wasn't in the script. We just found that we had a great physical chemistry together. She has very long legs and a shorter torso and I have short legs and a long torso. She would hang on to me will I did all sorts of crazy things all over her. Cameron's in very good shape.

YLG: The funny scene in the bush outside the gates to the house. Was that improvised?

Leslie: All the leg stuff with my body and Cameron's legs was planned out but we did giggle a lot. She's very flexible...right?

YLG: In this film Kate they refer to you as the perfect 10. Obviously you're Kate Upton Supermodel and you are now moving up into movies more. Do you feel like there's a lot more pressure to look after your body and also as a role model?

Kate: Actually I put pressure on myself, I want to be the best I can. I like to block out the noise and come prepared.

YLG: You joked about having two more films lined up, is that part of your career plan and you’ve still got your whole life ahead of you at twenty one?

Kate: Modelling will always be a part of my life and I'm not thinking of giving it up. But I would like to progress my movie career.

YLG: In this role you are obviously a beautiful woman and in your first scene you are wearing a white bikini. Do you see yourself playing different types of roles in the future?

Your Local Guardian:

Kate Upton (Amber) running on the beach.


Leslie: In future she wants to wear only turtle necks and long pants (laughing).

Kate: I didn't take this role because of beautiful bikinis. It was more about the women's relationship that was important to me. I like to find scripts that I can relate to and believe in, so if that means I have to wear a bikini or poncho or no makeup, I'm willing to commit to the role.

YLG: Was it a bonus to have on board the person who was responsible for the Sex and the City costumes?

Leslie: Well yeah...she (Patricia Field costume designer) was great. She set the tone for each character.

Kate: It was really difficult for me because I've never been in a fitting like that. I've always been like..."I don't like that dress" and "I wouldn't wear that" But then I'd think, I'm not dressing for myself, I'm dressing for Amber.

YLG: Leslie, Kate it's been lovely talking to you. Thank you very much.

The Other Woman is out in UK cinemas from April 23

Foker On Film review to follow. Plus a chance to win 'The Other Woman' exclusive merchandise.