By Iain Blair
LOS ANGELES – It’s a very long way from
starring as the stoner rebel of "Easy Rider" to playing a
presidential nominee in the new Disney comedy "Swing Vote,"
which is now in US theaters, but for Dennis Hopper it’s all in
a day’s work. Or make that a life’s work.
After appearing in over 150 films and
almost as many TV shows, the one-time wild man of Hollywood
has earned his status as elder statesman of entertainment.
Now 72, Hopper looks every bit the
distinguished Democratic politician Donald Greenleaf in "Swing
Vote" as he courts the vote of Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), an
apathetic small-town loser whose single ballot holds the key
to the election.
In person, Hopper is tan and fit, and he
sports a goatee. He was upbeat as he sat down to talk to
Reuters about his new film, presidential politics, and the
1960s.
"Swing Vote" and its story about the
importance of voting could hardly be more timely.
Dennis Hopper: Yes, it’s a comedy but
much more. When we had the Bush-Gore election, it got down to
Florida’s being the last state. It could easily have gotten
down to one vote and a failed machine, so the scenario (in the
film) is possible.
Did you see parallels with real life when
you and Kelsey Grammer, who plays the incumbent president,
descend on this small New Mexico town to try and win over Bud?
Hopper: Of course, and we both change
our positions to get this one vote, and it’s very similar to
watching what’s going on in the larger race.
You also have several other films coming
out, including "Elegy" with Penelope Cruz, "Hell Ride" which
Quentin Tarantino produced, and you’re doing the TV series
"Crash." And you have a film and art show in Paris in October.
Are you a workaholic?
Hopper: I guess I am. I’m right in the
middle of "Crash" which is based on the Oscar-winning film.
It’s an amazing part for me. I play this Phil Spector-type
crazy music mogul, playing with guns and knives. It’s for
(cable TV network) Starz, so we have no language restrictions
or sexual code.
You began your career back when Hollywood
was still the physical center of the film and TV world. Is it
weird now that even TV series are shot wherever they get the
best tax breaks?
Hopper: It’s very strange. They shoot
everywhere except Hollywood now, it seems (laughs). I mean, I
still live in Venice (California) but I’m hardly ever here. I
hardly ever see old pals like Jack (Nicholson).
How do you look back on the ’50s, ’60s and
’70s now, when you made such iconic films as "Rebel Without a
Cause," "Giant" and "Easy Rider"?
Hopper: I don’t that much, although because I’m doing
this retrospective in Paris where they’re showing 50 films and
half my art collection and half my art, I’ve had to think
about it. It was just a very special time when the lunatics
really got to take over the asylum for a minute, starting with
"Easy Rider." For a brief moment there, there really seemed to
be an independent film movement. Then it was over. –
Reuters
