From Deseret News archives:

Long wait for great role is worth it for Utah actor

Fugit wins praise at film festival for 'Wristcutters'

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006 9:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
PARK CITY — Being labeled "The Next Big Thing" in Hollywood when you're still a teenager is hard to live up to. Just ask Salt Lake native Patrick Fugit.

He received rave reviews for his performance in "Almost Famous" as an aspiring young music journalist. But it was his co-star Kate Hudson who went on to movie stardom. And other co-stars, like Jason Lee and Philip Seymour Hoffman, went on to bigger things.

But after "Almost Famous," it took Fugit five years to find another major role that he felt was as good.

"I remember thinking at the time, 'Wow. What am I going to do now?' and 'I hope this isn't as good as it's going to get,' " Fugit said at the Sundance Film Festival. "Unfortunately, it was, for awhile."

The 22-year-old actor has been seen in a handful of supporting roles since then, most notably "White Oleander," in which he appeared opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Alison Lohman. But he's rejected several projects that would have given him a lead role.

That is until "Wristcutters: A Love Story" came along.

"I wanted to find something that was different, not just the dumb comedies and other things that were being offered to me," Fugit said during an interview in the Volkswagen Lounge on Park City's Main Street.

Story continues below
And "Wristcutters" is definitely something different, a dark comic fantasy about suicide victims who awake to find themselves in an afterlife that is far grungier and more depressing than the existence they departed. Fugit stars as twentysomething Ziya, who kills himself after breaking up with his girlfriend.

"It's pretty dark," Fugit said with a laugh," but it's not overwhelmingly dark."

"Wristcutters" is one of 16 films in the festival's dramatic competition and had its premiere on Monday in the Park City Racquet Club. "I hear people really liked it and responded well to it," Fugit said.

His co-workers have nothing but praise for Fugit. "Ziya is such a tricky part. He's the most important person in the movie," said Shea Whigham, who plays his constant companion Eugene, and who originally read for Fugit's role. "He's the one character you relate to and really like, but that's not an easy thing to do with this material.

"Patrick couldn't smile a lot, because his character isn't supposed to. So he had to act with his eyes."

Director Goran Dukic calls Fugit a natural. "It's unbelievable how talented and how centered Patrick is. He could have it all but chooses not to."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Patrick Fugit, 22, starred in "Almost Famous" in 2000 \— his first film.

previousnext

Latest comments

Germany celebrates fall of Wall

Shame, on all those so called Americans. That have kind words of dictators,...

Remember when the Jazz used to come back from being down by 17? Okur was...

I for one, even as a Cougar fan, am disappointed to see the turn that New...

Kim is a All-Tournament candidate in my opinion.

Wow, this story just won't end. If the LDS Church's stance on gay rights is...

Williams shot 20% (2 of 10) from the field, and was 0 of 5 from the arc and...

House passes health care bill

Please provide one single reform in healthcare that is provided in this bill....

I sat in the stands last year with my family in the middle of the park city...

Really and did you know that the DESERT NEWS is owned by the Church. Did you...

True, no style points. However did this "victory" cause anybody to think...

Advertisements
Advertisement