You may know him as Nicolas Cage’s nerdy little brother Pollux Troy in Face Off, but Alessandro Nivola is no one hit wonder. With a history rich in theatrical work on stage, Nivola currently stars opposite Reese Witherspoon and Josh Brolin in the smart romantic dramedy Best Laid Plans. He can also be seen in Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming Love’s Labour’s Lost with Branagh, Alicia Silverstone and Nathan Lane.But it’s his current role that should really get your attention. Not only does this sexy thespian (a dead ringer for a young Ralph Fiennes) soak up the camera like a sponge, but his laser-like performance is riveting as well. Ladies and gentleman, it’s a pleasure to introduce Mr. Alessandro Nivola…

BBB: So what does it feel to be a certifiable Hollywood hunk?
Alessandro: Oh Jesus. What does that mean? What’s the price?

BBB: In the beginning of this film you’re this fresh faced Alessandro, like the one I see in front of me. Then you transform into this sexy, almost distinguished man. Is that something you did on purpose?
Alessandro: (Joking) Yeah I suffered so much during the film that at the end I aged ten years! The idea is that he’s just gone through hell, so hopefully he’s learned something. He makes such terrible decisions throughout the story, like that of a young and immature man, the only way you could justify him getting the girl is that, in the end, he learned something. Certainly every time I’ve done a film, by the end of it, I feel as if I’ve grown up a lot. But you never shoot it in sequence really, (laughs) so I don’t know if that theory holds for the chronology of the movie!

BBB: Was it difficult playing this character?
Alessandro: I liked the fact that it was not a typically heroic character, because I thought it was interesting. The thing that really attracted me to the project was that I felt like it was a traditional film noire in sort of an old school film noire sense, and that the suspense was created out of plot, rather than violence or action...There are thrillers made all the time, but most of them are based in violence, and it was the characters that drove this story.

BBB: So, how did you get started in showbiz?

Alessandro: I wanted to be an actor since I was a little kid. The first role I had was as a porcupine in a production of Winnie The Pooh…I don’t even think there’s a porcupine in it, but there was one in this version. My one job was come on stage and help pull Pooh out this hole that he was stuck in. I did regional theatre for years. I did a show on Broadway with Helen Mirren which was a big moment for me, but it wasn’t like I was suddenly the sensation of New York. Then I started doing some television movies and small roles in films, and then big roles in films...I feel like it’s given me a chance to learn what I’m doing, without the pressure of being thrown into a hundred million dollar movie...As far as my big break, Face Off is certainly the thing that everyone references because it’s the one that’s been out. And there’s three coming out now all at the same time.

BBB: Well, I just know in my Betty bones that you’re going to enjoy a long and fruitful career on screen. Congratulations on all of your hard work and the best of luck to you in the future!
Alessandro: Thank you, Betty!