Feature: Adam Brody on In The Land of Women

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on April 19, 2007.

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Brody takes on first leading role

Adam Brody, the actor probably best known for his role as Seth Cohen on the television series The O.C., can next be seen in the film In The Land of Women. It's a film that puts Brody in his first leading role, in company with well-known co-stars such as Meg Ryan and Kristen Stewart.

The actor said he was drawn to the film by the power of the script.

"I really loved the script. It's such a mature script," Brody said. "This is a very old-fashioned, kind of sweet story. It's a very kind of hopeful, sweet, nonviolent story which I think there's a distinct lack of if you look around at movies today."

Brody stars as Carter Webb, a television writer who goes home in an attempt to find healing after his girlfriend breaks his heart. It's a role the actor said has the potential to connect with the majority of viewers.

"I don't want to say [my character's] an average guy," Brody said. "But he's just looking for some answers and, I mean, he gets broken up with. I think everyone can relate to that."

The actor said he is trying to move away from television and start a career in film.

"I'm pretty excited about film right now," Brody said. "I'm sure sooner or later I'll be back in television, but for right now I wouldn't mind doing some movies. I like the idea of telling one story and then moving on and telling another story."

Though he has had secondary roles in films such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Thank You For Smoking, this marks his first time as a leading man. It's a change that affected how he saw himself as an actor.

"You're always infusing a character with yourself. I felt like I sort of changed. At first I liked acting as close to me as possible, and by the end I sort of wanted the opposite," Brody said.

He also discovered how hard it actually is to lead a film.

"It's hard work. Cameos are sort of amazing because you go in for two days and then you're in a movie other people worked on really hard for a year," Brody said. "I'm in this for more than a few minutes. With this, you're working harder than you have, but it's also more fulfilling."

The film is directed by first-time director Jon Kasdan. According to Brody, he was as competent as a veteran of the industry.

"It was interesting because he doesn't come off as a first-time director at all. I don't feel like I worked with a first-time director. We became friends and hung out for about 10 months before shooting the movie while I was still doing the show," Brody said.

The actor said he chose his profession not for fame and fortune, but simply because it's what he likes to do.

"It's very important to me to love what I do, and try to find a career that I truly enjoy. You spend so much of your time at work. If you can find something that excites you to do from 9 to 5, that's half the battle of life, I think."