Are you taking your family to see Despicable Me this weekend? You are in for a treat! The mombloggers in our group at the press junket got up close and personal with Steve Carell and Julie Andrews about the movie but also about parenting and family.  In my interviews with the actors I got a good sense of the importance of family in their lives. Both Gru and his mother play slightly evil and villainous characters, nothing like real life actors Steve and Ms. Andrews. It was a pleasure chatting with them about their roles as parents.

Steve Carell and Julie Andrews NOT Despicable Parents

Julie Andrews is an accomplished author and enjoys working on children’s books with her own daughter, now an adult. She keeps in touch with family via the internet.  Her grandchildren are starting to figure out that their Grandma is the same Mary Poppins that we all admire, and Ms. Andrews glows with pride when she shares stories of her children and grandchildren.  Always gracious and lovely, she  has even been known to throw on some perfume before her family iChats! Reading to children is a central theme in the movie, which I think was something that endeared them to the project even more. You’ll find her involved with various literacy projects including Target’s Ready. Sit. Read! program.

Minions are Way Cooler

Steve Carell loves that he can work in the L.A. area and still be home for his kids. His kids both loved the film though his son remarked that it would have been cooler for him to play a Minion, one of the yellow capsule shaped workers that helped Gru carry out his evil plot. In fact the Minions were like family to Gru.

It was interesting to get Steve’s perspective on being a dad. You think of him as such a funny guy, but as a father, he is the hybrid of funny dad and disciplinarian. “You want respect, you don’t want to be their buddy, but you do”, he remarked. “Kids need a sense of structure”. He’s down to earth in his understanding that it them feel secure. They are a silly family, and his kids are already developing his sense of humor, even understanding irony at a young age.

Would Steve and Ms. Andrews at all resemble their characters in Despicable Me? In Steve’s case he can definitely relate to that feeling that you would do anything on earth to protect your children. In Ms. Andrew’s case she may deserve an Oscar or 10 for portraying a character that is so far from real life for her.

Completely enjoyable!  If you saw the movie we would love to know what you think!