FIRST GERE

"People think oh fine, you take your clothes off and you go out. It’s not that easy to make it something that’s just not, a burlesque turn..to make it meaningful, ... that’s really admirable."

Dateline: Zagreb. Post-War Croatia. I’ve been given the green light to fly 16 hours for 30 precious minutes of face time with a major movie star--Richard Gere. I’m in a luxury hotel suite deciding what would make the most impressive backdrop for his on-camera interview. But why am I knee deep in Eastern Europe? Because Gere’s filming a story nearby that deals with the Bosnia conflict. I’ve no clue how cooperative this busy actor will be since the local paparazzi are hounding him and rumors are flying about a sordid affair with a female co-star.
Moments after we’ve properly lit the scene, Gere whisks in with his entourage: a high-end Italian makeup artist and hair stylist , a protective British publicist and an imposing Yugoslav bodyguard. After a brief exchange Richard disappears with his coiffeurs. I’m left chatting up the hulking bouncer. He fits the James Bond villain mold—all muscle and menace in a black pinstripe suit.
Gere returns a short time later wearing a blue denim shirt and jeans. Surprisingly casual. As we review the questions, I’m thrown off balance by his charm, easy-going manner, and lack of ego. He’s a regular guy. In fact, off camera we talk about our kids. Couple of dads swapping family stories. He shares his frustration for not being able to show his young son some of his best movies due to their explicit nature. “Officer and a Gentleman” No. “American Gigolo.” Afraid not.
Just before we launch into my questions, I make a point of thanking him for his humanitarian efforts and helping the Dalai Llama. Perhaps that helped, because the short window I planned for becomes a breezy hour of candid, revealing conversation. He freely talks about working on the film, including the difficulty of shooting nude scenes with Debra Winger (see above quote).

"The sexual burden was really on her during the movie and, and it’s not easy doing that,
she was always struggling to make it as powerful and as true as she could-- that’s really admirable."

Gere lets his guard down, revealing that at the time he was still trying to prove himself as an actor. He also admits how wrong he was about filming the climactic 'Lift Us Up Where We Belong" scene.

"We can’t shoot that scene, it’s never gonna work, never. It’s totally hokey. I’m gonna get pissed off shooting it.. and I picked up Debra and I took her out and I said okay, we’re done with that, it’s never going to be in the film (Laughter). What do I know?"

It also helps learning that making the film was one of the highlights of Gere's career. In comparison, this interview is one of mine.