Ed Burns On Marriage And Movies

Actor-Director Ed Burns Revisits Wedding Jitters In 'The Groomsmen'

(CBS)  You just welcomed your second child, a son, Finn, in February. Have you figured out fatherhood?

I'm absolutely in love with it. I'm just so thankful that I had kids at this age. I didn't want to be the 42-year-old guy who … you should be coaching little league at 42.

Why do you think guys in their 30s get cold feet before getting married or having kids?

For people getting married in their mid-20s, you're really just out of high school and college. You don't really have time to think and reflect, you were kind of thrown into this adult situation. Once you have kids, it's, like, "I need to get that job, I need benefits, the house, I need the whole nine."

When people put (marriage or kids) off, there’s more time to reflect. You’ve grown used to this adult life, your habits. You really mourn the loss of that freedom and you’re in a different place financially. Then you recognize kids will change that.

You wrote, directed and star in this film. Can you explain why you like to be involved in all aspects of filming?

Originally, I wanted to be a writer. Then, after I wrote my first screenplay, I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker. I always aspired to have something like Woody Allen’s career; you get to stay in New York, you make your tiny little talky movies, you get to do one a year. You have the freedom that comes along with that kind of career.

What I discovered was that I got to maintain a little more control over the overall vision so I guess that’s the reason. Then, just generally, I’m probably a control freak.

How did you choose your cast?

Donal Logue I had worked with before and I always said he just felt like somebody that should be in one of my movies about my New York Irish guys. A friend of mine read the script said, "There's only one person you should cast as cousin Mike, it should be Jay Mohr." That's how that came to me.

Matt Lillard had read the script and his agent called me and said "Lillard loves this script, is there a part available?" I sat down with Matt and it was like a no-brainer. He was Dez.

John Leguizamo's part (the groomsman who reveals a dark secret) was the toughest one to cast. We kind of went back and forth between who exactly is the right guy for this? But then when John's name came up it was like, "Oh, perfect." Then it was just a matter of begging John to do it.

You've been involved in the Tribeca Film Festival over the past several years. Why do you like being a part of it?

Two things: I live in the neighborhood and I lived here pre-9/11 and pre the festival. When the festival started, it was really just about injecting Tribeca with some excitement and enthusiasm. Trying to get people to come back down and spend money and help keep the restaurant and shops open. So, for that reason, I was just thankful that the festival existed.

But now as its grown the festival has not only helped the neighborhood but to watch it evolve into this very important festival ... everyone is aware that there's something happening here that you need to be apart of.

Why do you film all of your films in New York?

I'm from New York, born and raised. I love this city more than anything. I've said before that New York is the greatest costar you could ever have. There isn't a bad corner to shoot on. You've got the full socioeconomic spectrum; you can draw from the greatest wealth of actors. You know this is where it's all happening, so this is where the stories should take place.