With a resume that includes stints in such hit movie comedies as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and the sitcoms "That '70s Show" and "Family Guy," there's no doubt that fans have had their share of laughs with Mila Kunis in recent years.
But that's not to say Kunis, 26, can't take a run at more serious fare once in a while, and she takes big strides in a pivotal role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action thriller that stars the actress opposite dramatic heavy-hitters Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman.
In a recent @ The Movies interview, Kunis said that her involvement in "The Book of Eli" didn't stem from a conscious decision to do something other than comedy. Rather, it was about being a part of a great story.
"It can't be too conscious a decision to do a certain type of film, because if it is, you're not going for the quality, you're going for the genre," Kunis said in a recent @ The Movies interview. "I've never been a person who goes, 'OK, I really want to do this or that. I just read things that appeal to me and find work that I enjoy regardless of the genre."
The interesting thing, Kunis noted, is that comedies and dramas essentially employ the same sorts of sensibilities.
"In a comedy, you still have to be honest," Kunis explained. "What makes a comedy great is that you can't think you're funny doing it. It's not genuine. What makes most comedies funny are the situations you put people in. Exactly the same thing goes for doing a drama. I don't think there's an ounce of difference. You have to be honest with your character and stay true to your feelings."
Opening in theaters Friday, the film stars Washington as Eli, a man who 30 years in the future wanders aimlessly across America after it's been decimated by the final war. Encountering thugs at every turn, Eli has no problem taking down his attackers -- not to save his own life, but to protect a book that he's been carrying with him for the past three decades: It's a book that holds hope for the future of civilization.
No one seems to understand the importance of what Eli is carrying until the drifter meets Carnegie (Oldman), the leader of a town populated by thieves and gunmen, who wants the book for evil intentions. But Eli's arrival also grabs the attention of Carnegie's stepdaughter, Solara (Kunis), who sees the traveler as a symbol of hope that exists beyond her stepfather's closely guarded borders. The problem is, when they flee those borders, Carnegie comes after them.
Apart from the pedigree of her co-stars (the cast also includes "Harry Potter" star Michael Gambon), Kunis said that she had to become a part of "The Book of Eli" because of the film's compelling subject matter.
"It's a very interesting story and it's a story that I think a lot of people can discuss," Kunis said. "It's a very finicky subject and one that people won't necessarily agree on. The story of Eli and what his purpose is, is something that people
should talk about."
Plus, it didn't hurt for Kunis to have the opportunity to play a strong female character.
"She's beautiful, brilliant, strong and inspirational," Kunis enthused. "I loved the script."
And, Kunis added, the character faces her share of dilemmas. By fleeing with Eli, Solara takes herself out of a comfort zone. It's not that Solara was in a perfect situation to begin with, by any means; it's just that she lives more comfortably with her blind mother (Jennifer Beals) under the iron fist of Carnegie than many other survivors.
Effectively, Solara's situation presents a scenario that audiences will be able to relate to no matter what time period they're living in.
"Carnegie is incredibly abusive, and as comfortable as Solara is, she's not that comfortable. She can't do what she wants to do -- she's under the rule of somebody else," Kunis explained. "No one wants that in real life. You want to be who you are and learn about yourself. Solara was never given that opportunity and she looks at Eli as somebody like that. That's what inspired her."
While Kunis knows the first aim of "Eli" is to entertain, she's said she's satisfied by the fact it can inform people, too -- herself included.
"I think anything, whether it be a book or a movie, can inspire you and make you see things differently," Kunis said. "A great movie will always make you question yourself, regardless. If you can relate to one character or a situation, a great movie will make you think about it and talk about it. Then if you wake up the next day and you still want to talk about it, then it's made an impact."
And in the case "The Book of Eli," Kunis said it even has the power to make impact on a spiritual level.
"I think the movie is about hope, faith, perseverance and survival," Kunis observed. "I hope people walk out and grasp the idea of how strong humanity is."
