Malin Akerman

Swedish actress knows how to 'Break' in Theres a sex scene in The Heartbreak Kid so outrageously ribald in a very good way its no wonder it took an actress from Sweden to pull it off with such unflinching ease.

Swedish actress knows how to 'Break' in

There’s a sex scene in “The Heartbreak Kid” so outrageously ribald — in a very good way — it’s no wonder it took an actress from Sweden to pull it off with such unflinching ease.

“There’s a bit more (prudishness) here, so far as nudity goes,” says Stockholm-born, Toronto-reared Malin Akerman, wrinkling her nose at the American notion of what’s acceptable onscreen. “Over in Sweden, breasts are very natural. You show boobs on television; you don’t show mass killings. As far as boobs go, I don’t really see an issue.”

It’s kismet then that the Farrelly brothers found Akerman while scouting for fresh talent when crafting the bawdy remake of the 1973 Neil Simon comedy classic.

Related Stories

Illustration of a TV set with a desert scene with a tumbleweed blowing across the screen VIP+

Fall Season’s Scripted Reduction Bodes Badly for Broadcast TV

Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan

Grammy Burning Questions: Where Are Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Others on the First Ballot?

“Since the day I got this script, I was so excited about the role,” says Akerman of Lila, the pussycat-soft yet psycho-girl shiksa goddess to Ben Stiller’s Edward, a 40-year-old bachelor who caves to parental pressure from his potty-mouthed father (Jerry Stiller) to get hitched. “It was one of those roles that usually the guys get to play. Finally, a girl gets to do this crazy, nasty role, and I was like, ‘I have to get this role.’ ”

Popular on Variety

As lensing commenced, castmates hinted at the role’s potential impact on Akerman’s ascending celebrity.

“People started going, ‘You realize that this is one of those roles that is really going to have an effect, because it is a pretty girl, but one not who really cares about any kind of exterior view.’ And it’s sort of just hitting me now the reactions that people are having to it.”

Akerman, also lead singer of alternative rock band the Petalstones, was a psych student at Toronto’s York U. when she booked a national Noxema ad. Following came parts in the sci-fi series “Earth: Final Conflict” and the cult pothead pic “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” But it was a recurring stint opposite Lisa Kudrow on the HBO series “The Comeback” that put Akerman on the map.

“That was the coolest experience of my life,” she gushes. “Lisa Kudrow is my idol.”

Up next for Akerman are a supporting turn as Katherine Heigl’s spoiled kid sis in the romantic comedy “27 Dresses” and a title role in Zack Snyder’s 2009 superhero pic “Watchmen.” She’s also the lead in indie “Heavy Petting.”

“The character is very far from anything I’ve done before,” explains Akerman. “It’s definitely not comedy. She’s the one who psychologically leads you through the film, which I really love. The more I read the script, the more excited I am.”

MOVIE MUSINGS

AN ACTOR SHOULD ALWAYS: “Be prepared. As far as going in on auditions or for any kind of role when you’re filming, you always need to be.”

I’M INSPIRED BY: “Other actors and actresses. I’m inspired by the greats. I think Cate Blanchett is phenomenal, and I’m a big fan of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Anthony Hopkins I would die to work with.”

FAVORITE FILM CHARACTER: “Edward Norton’s role as Aaron Stampler in ‘Primal Fear.’ He was spectacular. … I would’ve loved to have done that role!”

Read More About:

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXGDjp%2BgpaVfoq6zt8StqmaelajBqsLApapopZGhtq95wKScq6WRo3p1eZBqaHBxZ2mBc4GO

 Share!