R.S. This is a really different character that we've seen you do. What was the appeal?
G.S. The appeal of the character was first and foremost Phillip Roth (author of book), and Robert Benton (director). All of the above, Phillip Roth, Robert Benton, Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris — that spoke a lot. I thought "this isn't the type of character that I am desperately looking to play but there's a real challenge here in creating a character that's got a full life who doesn't seem to be just the outside observing narrator. With all those people involved and all the ingredients of a great script I think we'll find a way to do it and this is the kind of movie that I want to be associated with regardless of how big or small the part is."

R.S. Had you read the book, because your character is much older in it?
G.S. Yeah I know. I had read the script and they had already made the decision to make him a younger man. I think it's a good choice because I think it's interesting to see two different generations—my character and Anthony Hopkins' character come together and form this sort of common bond and this friendship. It's interesting because his character is so alive and powerful, there's this life going on in him and the younger man is actually kind of beaten down and withdrawn from life and disconnected from things. It's fun to see this older man just pull this young guy up and make him come back into life.

R.S. I am sure everyone has probably mentioned the dance scene! Are you a dancer or a wallflower in real life?
G.S. I am not a big dancer. My wife kind of has to do what Tony does in the movie and drag me out of the chair and get me out there. This scene is entertaining because you literally see Nathan just come alive and start enjoying himself. It's really one of the lightest moments in the movie.

R.S. The bulk of your scenes are with Anthony Hopkins. Do you enjoy a movie where you are mostly one on one with another character or do you prefer an ensemble piece?
G.S. It all depends. I love acting with good actors whether it's one of them or five of them at the same time. It can remind you of why you wanted to be doing it in the first place when you get together with good actors and you are all clicking and things are going well and everybody's in sync. This has a whole bunch of good actors in it.

R.S. You really get the cold shoulder from Nicole Kidman in this movie. I hope your off-set relationship was a little better?
G.S. You know I didn't really get to work with Nicole, the scene that I have with her she doesn't want to be there and she doesn't want me to be there (laughs). It wasn't like we interacted a whole lot but off camera we had a good time talking. She's a wonderful actress — a lovely person. There were lots of good moments for me on this film.

R.S. So what's up next for you?
G.S. I have a movie that I will be filming in London with Juliette Binoche and Laurence Fishburne directed by Michael Apted called Scheherazade.