Tom Sturridge is like the nice guy from next door. So why is it, that he`s more successful in acting than in love?
Tom Sturridge is cute, very cute. His messed and a little oily hair is hidden under a cap, he`s just
indulged himself in a massage at the hotel, which he`s almost embarassed by. The 23-year-old smiles cannily like the boy from next door. Even though residing in a suite in the Baur au Lac and being dealt with as the "next big thing" back in Great Britain. When you see him, you want to hang out with him, have a beer and listen to good music.
In "The Boat That Rocked", Tom Sturridge plays teenager Karl, whose mother sends him to a boat where some peeved DJs run a pirate channel. There`s fun, sex, drugs and a lot of rock`n`roll ahead for Karl.
- Friday: Tom, the soundtrack of "The Boat That Rocked" really rocks! Did the sixties-sound
influence your taste in music?
Tom Sturridge: To me, the Rolling Stones, Otis Redding or Van Morrison have always been the
greatest. I grew up with their music. No day passes without me listening to Van Morrison. I really admire the guys, because without them, the music of today wouldn`t be like it is.
- Do you like the fashion style of the sixties as much as the music?
Well, look at me (laughs)! I don´t care about fashion, I never go shopping. The shirt belongs to a friend, the t-shirt was made by my sister´s boyfriend, and the shoes, well, it´s obvious (points to his shabby Nikes).
- The movie is too funny for words. Did you have equally fun when shooting it?
Absolutely! As we were constantly filmed by three cameras, every joke done is visible in the movie, we improvised a lot and had many laughs.
- You had to audition for several times to get the role. How did you finally convince director
Richard Curtis?
I don´t know, I guess he had a bad day (laughs). I wanted this role no matter what, because I wanted to make a movie with Richard Curtis and all these great actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. I´m proud that it did work out! And on top of that, I really needed a job.
Originally, Tom wanted to become a thatcher. The typical english thatched roof already fascinated him as a tiddler: <> In any case, the son of producer Charles Sturridge and actress Phoebe Nicholls never wanted to become an actor. <>, he says. That he ended
up in movies anyway was completely by chance. At the age of 17, director Istvan Szabo enquired him for a small role in the comedy <> with Annette Benning. Tom accepted because he was
interested in the director and noticed: hey, being an actor is cool, you´re free.
- Which stars inspired you for acting?
No stars, more these little moments in everyday life. For example when a girl brushed my elbow, or a friend played the guitar for me.
- Like for example your best friend, the Twilight-star Robert Pattinson? You lived together in
London. How was that?
That was a great time. We had a completely normal flat share life, borrowed each other´s clothes, talked about women and fought about the washing-up.
- Rob and Tom, a dreamteam for womankind. What happens, when you rock a club together?
We never rocked a club in our lifes. We tend to go to bars and pubs. Like normal guys: two guys having a beer and talking nonsense.
- You´re not surrounded by screaming groupies?
No, fortunately not! Rob is mostly famous in the US. And I´m hardly ever recognized on the streets of London.
- That will surely change with "The Boat That Rocked". No jimjams with being famous?
I actually can´t really imagine being famous. So I´m not afraid. Still, I saw with Rob that it´s not funny when paparazzis besiege you. I like wandering through the streets of London without getting noticed.
- Hand in hand with your girlfriend...?
I don´t have a girlfriend. But I´d like to. If any Swiss girl is interested, she should get in touch with me.
- Is it so difficult with London girls?
It´s generally difficult with love. Or how many loves did you have in your life?
- Two. But you´ve surely been in love as well?
Only once. When I find the love of my life, I´ll build us a house with a thatched roof.
besides...it was for a swiss magazine
