Daily Archives: January 10, 2012

With his close-cropped hair and bright-burning eyes, Ben Foster has, in person, the same intensity he’s brought to roles in films from “The Messenger” to “Alpha Dog” … with, fortunately, a relaxed wit and easy smile moderating that during his press day for “Contraband.” Foster plays a friend and associate of Mark Wahlberg’s reformed smuggler, with both pulled back into the game when a local crimelord threatens Wahlberg’s brother-in-law. We spoke with Foster in New York about playing criminals, the politics of smuggling and the romance of crime.

MSN MOVIES: Do you tend to flip-flop between sides of the law depending on which film you’re on? I mean you’re very good at authority figures, like in “The Messenger,” then a film like this comes along and you really get to let out your skeevier side. Do you like to flip-flop like that?

Ben Foster: Gosh, “skeevier side?” No, it’s pretty much constant. 

I mean as an actor, not as your, uh, skeeve self.

 Foster: Oh, it depends on if you’re lucky enough to work. Every job is a blessing. Everyone has to take into account what is available. Are you paying rent, who do you get to work with? There are a lot of variables in the job. What I’m drawn to is things that I don’t completely understand maybe, and want to get a better feel for it.

 Like, perhaps the world of international smuggling?

 Foster: Yeah, that sounds great.

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