True Blood’s Kwanten is true to home and country
There’s something about Australian breakout movie star Ryan Kwanten that could stop traffic. It’s not his buzz cut (newly cropped for a project shooting in South Africa), his deep-set dark eyes or his dazzling smile.
His appeal, as we see it certainly, runs deeper than that. Kwanten, in a nutshell, oozes the kind of sexy, dependable reserve that instantly relaxes those he meets. His charm is magnetic. In person, he’s down to earth and engaging. And utterly in love with Canada.
In Toronto recently for the premiere of The Right Kind of Wrong — a romantic comedy produced by father-and-son team Robert and Ari Lantos — we got our fangs into the True Blood- er who plays Jason Stackhouse in the popular vamp drama. He was just descending from the CN Tower’s perimeter walk, the vertiginous challenge having been scheduled as part of his movie’s promotional tour.
Voice wavering (most folk find the edge-walk terrifying), he waxed lyrical about the Canadian-made picture as we quizzed him about the importance of “home.” Settling back onto terra firma, Kwanten confided: “Oh mate — my butt cheeks are like concrete. That was seriously scary!” We countered that his derriere’s firmness quotient was never in doubt. As True Blood fans will attest, his rump is regularly on show.
Self deprecating to the max, Kwanten insists his alleged asset is simply a quirk of “good set lighting.”
Fitness personified, he takes the compliment (reluctantly) and we move on.
In the movie, Kwanten plays Leo Palamino, a restaurant dishwasher with aspirations of becoming an author. His disgruntled partner (portrayed by Kristen Hager) is also a keen writer and, frustrated with Palamino’s lack of achievement, pens a disparaging blog called Why You Suck outlining her partner’s alleged ineptitude. Millions of viral clicks later — and by now separated from Palamino — the shameless scribe bags herself a book deal and becomes the doyenne of the TV chat-show circuit.
As momentum gathers, Kwanten’s character carries on with life, for the most part ambivalent to ridicule. Later, at a wedding, he falls head over heels in love with Colette, played by Sarah Canning, but there’s a snag: the object of his affection is the bride.
The attraction, however, is — eventually — reciprocated. But will love blossom? You can find out for yourself when the movie opens on October 11. The Right Kind Of Wrong, as we found it, is a cleverly composed roller coaster of tears and laughter. It’s fair to report that Lantos makes the transition from hard-hitting drama (such as Eastern Promises and Barney’s Version) to crowd-pleasing comedy with aplomb.
But anyway. Back to Kwanten. As an Antipodean so often on the road, we wonder how he computes “home.”
“Home is where I am every day,” he confides. “I take it with me in my heart. When I was a jobbing actor in Australia, I always said that wherever I ended up, I’d never be lost. And I’d never forget where I’m from.”
Ah, typical Kwanten modesty. For “jobbing actor,” read star of Home and Away, one of Australia’s biggest soap operas. “Back then I certainly had aspirations, but no idea my journey would lead me so far from family.” So, does he miss his kith-and-kin down under? “Sure, but I’m in touch all the time. By phone, Skype, whatever. No matter how far away, they keep me grounded.”
With his world as open as it is, where does he feel truly centred? “Australia, I guess, because that’s where my roots are. But, due to work, and because I like to embrace opportunity, I’ve got a place in LA. It’s a work in progress, in a city I’ve grown to love. But it’s mine and I love it.”
His personal style? “My taste is really eclectic but I adore the beach. The ocean. The salty air sets my pulse racing.” And how has he decorated his Californian crib? “With nautical touches. Lots of blue and crisp white. I’m so happy there and my friends certainly approve.” So it’s a social destination? “Completely. There’s always someone staying. Friends visiting, you know. That’s just how I like it. Come one, come all.”
“Oh, mate — my butt cheeks are like concrete. That was seriously scary!”
RYAN RYAN KWANTEN KWANTEN AFTER AFTER THE THE CN CN TOWER TOWER EDGE EDGE WALK WALK
As we chatter about his investment in a slowly recovering U.S. property market, we also touch on economic stability in Canadian cities like Toronto. Kwanten draws comparisons, in fact, to the housing sector in Australia, which has also enjoyed a significant boom, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
“From the top of the CN Tower, I saw loads of condos, and I guess as long as there’s demand, and as long as homes are priced affordably, it’s good for the Canadian economy. Just as property investment is for Australia,” he says.
Aside from the property market, what other aspects does Kwanten admire about Canada? Without hesitation he responds: “The landscape. And the air quality, of course. There wasn’t a day went by in Alberta when I didn’t breathe deep and count my blessings to be working in such an awesome province.”
Different, then, to the often smoggy atmosphere in Los Angeles? “Oh yeah,” chimes our subject. “Very different, indeed.”
As Kwanten prepares to head to his next appointment, he reveals a bit of his personal philosophy: “I’ve worked with some great people who’ve believed in me. And I’ve had brilliant opportunities that allowed me to become who I am, professionally. But it’s who I am as ‘me’ that makes me feel I’ve really come home.” Colin and Justin are regular home and design experts on Cityline. Colin and Justin’s Cabin Pressure, a new reality show, is in production with Cottage Life TV and airs in March 2014. Find their international product range in stores like Homesense, Winners and Marshalls. facebook.com/ColinJustin, twitter.com/colinjustin, colinandjustin.tv.