by Many legendary scenes arise from improvisations or errors on the part of actors, as in “Zoolander” for example, in which a replica forgotten by Ben Stiller has become memorable thanks to the spontaneous reaction of David Duchovny…
It is well known, many shot scenes do not appear in the final editing of a film. The actors often ignore which taking will be kept, which can surprise them at the exit of the film. Indeed, sometimes an act that an actor thinks failed, or a socket with improvised reply (s), is finally found in the final product for their spontaneity or their authenticity. Speaking of memorable aftershocks, Zoolander, the satirical comedy produced and co-written by Ben Stiller, released in 2001, has just one of this order that has become cult.
It is the scene between Ben Stiller And David Duchovny in which Derek (Stiller) finds the old hand model JP Prewitt (Duchovny) and asks him: “But why take men's models?“Prewitt then explains the whole political conspiracy to him around the brainwashing of the models, and at the end of the monologue, Derek asks again:”But why take men's models ? “
Prewitt, incredulous, answers Derek: “TU is deaf? I just explained it to you just a moment ago”, Concluding one of the funniest and memorable exchanges in the film.
As perfectly and brilliantly stupid as Derek's reply, she was actually completely improvised on the part of Stiller. The latter had indeed forgotten what his following replica was and simply repeated his previous one, but Duchovny, a lively spirit, reacted brilliantly and responded plausibly and hilariously.
Eventually, Ben Stillerat the controls of the project, decided to use this “failed” exchange in the final assembly, which gave birth to one of the funniest aftershocks of the actor.
Paramount pictures Zoolander (2001)
This anecdote perfectly illustrates how improvisations or errors can enrich a film far beyond the initial script, thus becoming the source of cult scenes. What could have been a simple awkwardness has transformed, thanks to the spontaneity and responsiveness of the actors, and thereafter to the wise eye of the director, in an unforgettable scene. This recalls that the magic of cinema also lies in the unexpected, and that the most authentic moments are often those that we had not planned.
For a good laughing puff with Ben Stiller and David Duchovny, but also Owen Wilson And Will FerrellZoolander is to be reviewed on Paramount+.
Rediscover the scene in question in the video below:
