Wed, Nov 25 2009
|
Published October 08, 2009 09:00 pm - WEEKENDER COVER STORY for Oct. 9, 2009: Peter Billingsley was on the other side of the world at Bora Bora’s St. Regis Resort describing his working conditions for making the new comedy “Couples Retreat.” ‘Ralphie’ grown, making movies Peter Billingsley directs new film ‘Couples Retreat’ By ROBERT W. BUTLER — Kansas City Star Peter Billingsley was on the other side of the world at Bora Bora’s St. Regis Resort describing his working conditions for making the new comedy “Couples Retreat.”
The phrase “working conditions” may not be entirely appropriate. “To my left is this beautiful beach,” he said by phone. “I’m in a house built on stilts over the water where we shot several scenes. On the deck there’s a hot tub ... you can jump from the hot tub into the sea. In the floor is this big glass pane, and I can see fish swimming under my feet.” If the name Peter Billingsley rings a bell, it’s because when he was only 11 he starred in one of the most beloved movies of all time — “A Christmas Story.” He played Ralphie, the kid desperate to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun. Now Billingsley, 38, makes his directing debut with “Couples Retreat,” opening today. It’s about Midwesterners who get a great rate on a tropical vacation, then find that as part of the deal they all have to undergo marriage counseling. Among the players are Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman and Kali Hawk. “You could say that the water here is a cast member, too,” Billingsley said. “I mean, it’s really that blue color you see in the movie. Remember Bomb Pops when you were a kid? That blue band on the bottom? That’s exactly the color of the water here. I’ve never seen anything like that in the Bahamas or Hawaii. All you have to do is turn on the camera, and the ocean makes you look like a visual genius. “People in Hollywood would say, ’Oh boy, you shot in Bora Bora? That’s so far away. It must have been hard,”’ Billingsley said. “Well, cry me a river. What it was, was heaven on Earth. Whatever logistical problems we encountered — because we were filming in a place where they don’t usually make movies — we dealt with gratefully.” Billingsley acted for years before and after 1983’s “Christmas Story.” But for the last decade he has worked mostly as a producer of movies (”Iron Man,” “Zathura”) and TV shows (”Dinner for Five”). “Jason Bateman and I have a running joke that after 35 years each in this business we should be retiring. But I love what I do.” Unlike some child actors, Billingsley has carved out a satisfying career. “I’ve always been self-motivated, but I can’t take a ton of credit for any success I’ve had,” he said. “It’s a difficult world for lots of child actors ... and it’s difficult to be a teenager under any circumstances. Add to that notoriety and fame, and things can go really wrong. “But I had a terrific family and grew up very normal in Phoenix. When I was at home I had chores, and if I didn’t act right, I couldn’t do films. So that provided a foundation that let me keep perspective in a business with lots of highs and lows and rejection. “But it’s a business I love, a community I’m very comfortable in.” Billingsley, a bachelor, said a successful show business career is more a marathon than a sprint. 
More from the WEEKENDER / Entertainment section
Not much tension in new 'Twilight' film Arts center hosts weekend of music |
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
© 2009, Ashtabula Star Beacon
P.O. Box 2100, Ashtabula OH 44005-2100 (440) 998-2323, Send news tips and feedback 
|
Popular Business directory links - Ashtabula Apartments | Ashtabula Attorneys | Ashtabula Auto Dealers | Ashtabula Auto Parts | Ashtabula Auto Repair | Ashtabula Beauty Salons | Ashtabula Car Rental | Ashtabula Dentists | Ashtabula Doctors | Ashtabula Flowers | Ashtabula Hotels | Ashtabula Insurance | Ashtabula Loans | Ashtabula Mortgages | Ashtabula Movers | Ashtabula Pizza | Ashtabula Realtors | Ashtabula Restaurants | Ashtabula Storage | Ashtabula Tax Preparation | Ashtabula Travel | Ashtabula Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
