Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“It would drive me crazy to portray myself”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a teacher in “Mr. Corman” who struggles with his life.
© Apple TV + / Matt Klitscher
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a man in his mid-thirties with self-doubt in “Mr. Corman”. In an interview, he reveals whether he resembles his figure.
“Mr. Corman” is a real “baby” from Joseph Gordon-Levitt (40, “Inception”). The US actor, who is known from hit films such as “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999), “(500) Days of Summer” (2009) and “Snowden” (2016), plays in the one he invented Starred in the Dramedy series, wrote the screenplay, produced and directed. The plot shows the everyday life of Josh Corman (Gordon-Levitt), who is an artist at heart, but has not yet been able to fulfill his lifelong dream of a music career. Instead, the man in his mid-thirties works as a teacher for fifth graders at a Californian school and lives with a schoolmate after his ex-fiancée moves out. Although Josh knows there are a lot of things to be thankful for, he struggles with feelings of fear, loneliness, and self-doubt.
On the occasion of the start of “Mr. Corman” (from August 6 on Apple TV +), Gordon-Levitt, who last appeared in the award-winning court drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” in 2020, met for a virtual conversation with the news agency spot on news. In the interview, he talks about similarities with his series character and things for which he is grateful. The 40-year-old also reveals what drives his artistic creativity and why the production of the funny, sometimes sad and deeply moving dramedy took him to the other end of the world.
The plot of “Mr. Corman” brings issues such as mental health and stressed family relationships into focus. Is it inspired by private experiences?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Absolutely! The series is very much influenced by my own experiences. In many ways the main character is similar to myself, Josh Corman even sounds a bit like Joseph Gordon. But there are also certain differences, which is mainly due to the fact that I’m a very private person and it would drive me crazy to portray myself. Also, I’m not sure if a story about me would be all that interesting.
Many people see it differently …
Gordon-Levitt: (laughs) Well, this character and I have a lot in common. We have a lot to be thankful for. Josh Corman has a teaching job that he loves. He is also an artist and loves music. He wanted to be a professional musician but it didn’t work out so he does his best to be happy. He is grateful for many things in his life, but he is not happy all the time. If I’m honest with myself, then I too have many things to be thankful for: a partner I love and parents I love. I can do a job that is important to me and I am healthy and safe. Despite all of these things, if I told you that I am always happy, I would be lying. I try, but sometimes my brain just takes me to other places. Then I tell him, “Don’t go there. You have no right to feel that way.” But my brain doesn’t always listen to me.
The series noticeably bears your signature, which is particularly clear through your imaginative implementation in terms of visual language and musical background. What drives your creativity?
Gordon-Levitt: That’s a good question! I try to create things that are personally important to me. I don’t spend a lot of time asking myself questions like “will you like it?” or “Will it be successful?”. Of course, I think of the audience and want to make sure that people can follow the story and understand what is happening to the character. However, the most important thing I pay attention to is: does it feel real and true to me? Does it make me laugh? Because if it makes me laugh, hopefully a few other people will too.
The production of “Mr. Corman” had to be put on hold in 2020 after the outbreak of the corona pandemic. When and where did it continue?
Gordon-Levitt: In New Zealand! I am still there. We shot in Los Angeles for three weeks and then the pandemic stopped us. Fortunately, we were able to come (here) and I am very grateful for that. Hopefully the show still has some kind of Los Angeles flair. At least we worked hard to keep it going.