Julian Mercer, Dr.

Something's Gotta Give (2003)

He knew you'd smell good

Occupation:Cardiologist at Southampton Hospital
Distinguishing Feature:Stethoscope
What He Taught Us:There are no accidents

Keanu Reeves

He's a cardiologist. He's an emergency room doctor. He's dealing with matters of the heart, he's a care-giver. I feel [Julian] had a lot of life experience and playing a doctor, I think that he's had an objective point of view of people and I think that that informed who he was and he's a sensitive guy. I think that if you pay attention to someone that you love, you're going to get them.

He does wear his heart on his sleeve, and it hurts when you do that. Always to be vulnerable is somehow the most enriching way of being, yet when it all goes awry, it's the most painful way of being. But if you don't do it, you end up all closed up. It's a great role, and it kind of balances out the piece. Jack Nicholson's character is at a place in his life when he's withholding, he's stuck in his ways. My character is the opposite: a man who is open and ready to be in a relationship.

I thought of him as being really well rounded and grounded. I thought it was the obligation of the role. And in that, I guess, just kind of relaxing and being comfortable with who the character was.