Charles S Dutton, Meg Ryan and Omar Epps in "Against the Ropes"
courtesy of Paramount Pictures
"Down For the Count?"

ATLANTA: Meg Ryan is the star of the new film "Against the Ropes" while Charles S Dutton is her co-star and also the director of the film. The two of them came to Atlanta recently to meet the press and explain why "Ropes" should be seen as a winner and not a loser.

The loser image has arisen due to the fact the film has been completed for over a year and is just now being released. Usually when this occurs the movie has been abandoned by the studio and no money is wasted on publicity.

"That is not the case with this movie," said Ryan. "It's true that it was supposed to be released last year but that was when we went to war. And who wants to open a movie when that is all going on?"

"That's right," said Dutton. "The studio was trying to protect the film. It wasn't that they didn't have confidence in it. They just wanted to make sure it got released when it could get its best shot at an audience."

"It really wasn't that they thought we made a bad movie," repeated Ryan. "They are behind it all the way. They support it one hundred per cent. I mean it is a good question but there is nothing negative about the release date at all."

Having gotten that settled, we moved on to other things. I asked Dutton what it was like to direct a superstar like Ryan. "He directs me just like anyone else," interjected Meg.

"She is so knowledgeable about what she should and should not be doing, and about how the character should act that she doesn't require much direction," Dutton said. "But I did make some suggestions here and there."

"Against the Ropes" is a story based on the life of Boxing Manager/Promoter Jackie Kallen. "It is very hard to play a person who is actually alive. You want to do the best you can for that person. I had met Jackie and liked her a lot and she was very helpful to me," said Ryan. "I think she liked how I played her. I hope she did."

At the end of the interview I told Meg and Charles they should come down to Macon, Georgia some time. Meg looked at me and said, "What is the best thing to eat in Macon, Georgia?"

I got a little flustered but answered, "Anything you want."

"No, no," she responded, "I want a definite food that I should eat there."

My mind was blank as could be. I wasn't used to being the one answering questions. I was supposed to be the one asking them. I finally stammered out that I would mail her the answer. 

Well now that I have had time to think about it, here is my answer. Meg, you should ask for fried green tomatoes and/or bar-be-que. Now come on down.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!