than Hawke is making a name for himself these days. The 31-year-old actor had four films to talk about at the recent Toronto Film Festival, has just written his second book, directed his first feature film, Chelsea Walls, and is expecting his second child with wife/actress Uma Thurman in January. Tribute recently had a chance to talk to him about all the exciting things that are going on in his life.

In Training Day you played a rookie cop that gets quite a lesson on his first day on the job with the veteran cop. How did you enjoy the work process on that film?

EH: It was really easy. When you are working with someone as good as Denzel Washington you look good. Denzel was like a character on fire in the whole movie so it was my job to give the film a beginning, middle and an end. My character goes through an evolution; he's a different guy than he was in the beginning so that was my job. Truthfully, Denzel really made me look good. I love acting with that guy.

It was a very physical role too. How did you like being beat up for most of the film?

EH: Well, it's never fun to get your ass kicked but I had never been in an action movie. I never played a cop before, I really had to educate myself about that whole world. So I just immersed myself into the part and if getting beat up was part of it, well I had to take it like a man.

I feel like I have been attending the Ethan Hawke film festival here in Toronto. You have four films here, Training Day, Tape, Waking Life and The Jimmy Show. Let's talk a bit about each of these projects. What was it like making Tape (opening November 2nd)? You and Robert Sean Leonard were in a small motel room for most of it and then your wife, Uma, comes into the picture.

EH: It was such a great part. When I first read it I thought, what a wonderfully written script. I thought that I was reading Mamet or something; it was so tight and so good. I play this drug-taking, beer-guzzling jerk who tries to bring back a horrible incident from the past with the one friend that I have from high school. Richard Linklater (the director) did allow us to ad lib here and there and I have to admit that some of this character came from my past. I just really loved playing him.

Yes, he was pretty over the top, but quite effective.

EH: You know, one of the great things about getting older I've realized as an actor you just get more and more interesting parts. The older you get the more complex individuals are. Personally, I think that my character in Tape is the best opportunity that I've had so far in my career to try and play.

Why do you enjoy working with Richard Linklater so much? You've worked with him in Before Sunrise (1995), The Newton Boys (1998) and now in Tape and Waking Life.

EH: I would have to say that he might be my favorite director. Hey, I'm the slacker generation right? I believe in him. There are just too few independent filmmakers that are as serious about what he does. He is so different and everything he does is meticulously well crafted, and talk about innovative. Everybody in the world has to see Waking Life. It's one of the most creative and interesting films that has ever been made, and I'm not just saying that because I have a cameo in it.

You also appear in The Jimmy Show. What's that about?

EH: My buddy Frank Whaley directed it and asked me if I wanted to play Jimmy, the lead character. I couldn't refuse after I read the part. The film is based on a play about a down-and-out inventor who embarks on a career as a stand-up comedian, but ends up drinking a bit too much and has to try and pull it back together for the sake of his family.

You have also taken a stab at directing. Your debut feature film is called Chelsea Walls. How was that experience?

EH: Nerve racking, but fun. The film tells five stories set in a single day at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, involving an ensemble cast of about 30 or so characters. I gathered together every friend that I had to help out.

Plus, don't forget about your wife.

EH: Yes, Uma is in it too. We really just love working together. She was great in Tape and is great in this. I don't want to sound biased, but she's such a natural. I love watching her work.

Do you think you'll take a crack at directing again?

EH: I'm sure someday I will. I love the whole process of making movies in all the different capacities. So whoever will have me, I'm there.

- Bonnie Laufer-Krebs