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Reeves, Bullock kiss and tell

By Chris Betros

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock PHOTO FROM WARNER BROS

TOKYO — It’s probable that kissing has never dominated a discussion about a movie as much as it did when Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock came to Japan recently to promote their fantasy love story, “The Lake House.” It is the first film the 42-year-old stars have appeared in together since “Speed” in 1994. Their kissing scene in it was voted this year’s cinematic best, an award they also picked up for “Speed.”

Showing considerable chemistry, the stars joked about their climatic kiss. “It was kind of nerve wracking but delightful,” said Reeves. Bullock said she took charge. “I told him to just shut up and take my face. I’m a big believer in kissing. Kissing should become as much a part of Japanese culture as bowing. Everyone go out today and kiss someone.”

In “The Lake House,” Reeves and Bullock play two lovelorn singles living in the same house, but two years apart in time. She’s a doctor; he’s an architect. They send letters to each through a magical mailbox. As they try to figure out what’s going on, they start to fall in love. But can they ever meet? For Bullock, it was a very nostalgic theme. “I love letters. I don’t think we should ever lose the art of writing them. I still have letters I got as a child from my grandmother, I have letters from my first love,” she said. “It’s interesting to look back on how people felt about you then because in today’s busy lifestyle, you tend to forget.”

Bullock said her most memorable letter came in the form of a birthday gift. “Five or six years ago, my friends went to all the people I admire and told them that I like the written word. Some wrote messages, others drew illustrations. They put it all into a bound book and it remains my most moving possession.” Reeves said he thinks letters will always hold special memories for most people. “You can bring a letter with you. It doesn’t take batteries. You can see the person’s handwriting and know that it is part of them.”

Besides letter writing, “The Lake House” examines dating, which Bullock was happy to expound on. “I’m very fickle. I once left a date at a restaurant because he was annoying,” she confessed. “A year later, we met again, and guess what? We dated for a year.” Then she tried to prod Reeves into talking about his most memorable date, but the laconic star would have none of it. “Nothing’s changed in 12 years. I’ve learned a lot and hopefully changed for the better, although some people would disagree. Keanu and I still argue, though,” joked Bullock. “I say black, he says white. He can’t help it.”

Reeves, best known for the “Matrix” films, said he likes doing both romantic comedy and action films. “I just like discovering a character. Making movies – when it goes well – is the best thing I have ever done,” he said.

Both Reeves and Bullock expressed a desire to work with a Japanese filmmaker. “I’m happy to work with any director. Filmmaking is international today; there are no boundaries,” she said. Reeves was even more ambitious. “I’d love to act – as much as I could – in another language.”

September 13, 2006

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Reeves, Bullock kiss and tell
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