High Drama, Low Comedy

By Josh Tyrangiel; Dustin Hoffman; Barbra Streisand; Ben Monday, Dec. 06, 2004
The cast of "Meet the Fockers": Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller and Barbra Streisand
KWAKU ALSTON FOR TIME

(4 of 4)

IN THE FIRST MOVIE, DE NIRO WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND HIM. NOW THAT THE TWO OF YOU ARE FRIENDS, DID HE STILL TRY TO DISCOMFIT YOU?

STILLER: I don't know that for sure. I know that Dustin went out of his way to make sure that I felt uncomfortable by invading my personal space.

HOFFMAN: I believe that actors should play to actors, not to their characters. So in this movie, I'm trying to dramatize smothering a kid. The best way to do that is to smother Ben. Not the character. Now Ben is a really warm, generous person, but he doesn't like his space invaded. So I just felt that I was going to jump on him and kiss him a lot.

STILLER: It felt very real.

HOFFMAN: If he were a girl who said, "I really don't want to get past first base," I made sure I got to second. Sing us a song! Right now, Barbra.

STREISAND: How much money have you got on you?

Most Popular »

Full List »
  1. The Fort Hood Killer: Terrified ... or Terrorist?
  2. Did a Time-Traveling Bird Sabotage the Collider?
  3. Another Cause of Obesity: The Bacteria in Your Gut?
  4. Rape and the Plight of the Female Migrant Worker
  5. Why Did the Iraq Surge Work?
  6. Star Soccer Player's Suicide Leaves Germany Stunned
  7. Renting Your House Back: A Solution to Foreclosures?
  8. Recession Sparks Global Shoplifting Spree
  9. The Rogue Returns: On the Road with Sarah Palin
  10. Why Sexism Kills
  1. The Fort Hood Killer: Terrified ... or Terrorist?
  2. Another Cause of Obesity: The Bacteria in Your Gut?
  3. Did a Time-Traveling Bird Sabotage the Collider?
  4. Renting Your House Back: A Solution to Foreclosures?
  5. Recession Sparks Global Shoplifting Spree
  6. Star Soccer Player's Suicide Leaves Germany Stunned
  7. Rape and the Plight of the Female Migrant Worker
  8. Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?
  9. Why Did the Iraq Surge Work?
  10. Why We Shouldn't Give Christmas Gifts

Quotes of the Day »

Get & Share
"The last time I looked, I lived in America. And I'd hate to see the government take away my freedom to eat an oyster."
TOMMY WARD, whose family has been harvesting oysters from the Gulf of Mexico since the 1920s, on the FDA's plan to ban the sale of raw oysters that are harvested in warm months; about 15 people die each year due to raw-oyster contamination
More Quotes »
For use in rail of Articles page or Section Fronts pages. Duplicate and change name as necesssary to distinguish.

Time.com on Digg

POWERED BY digg

More on TIME.com »

Quotes of the Day »

Get & Share
"The last time I looked, I lived in America. And I'd hate to see the government take away my freedom to eat an oyster."
TOMMY WARD, whose family has been harvesting oysters from the Gulf of Mexico since the 1920s, on the FDA's plan to ban the sale of raw oysters that are harvested in warm months; about 15 people die each year due to raw-oyster contamination
More Quotes »

Today in Pictures »

Stay Connected with TIME.com

Learn More »