How is Travis Gornecke different from Bernard Berkman, your character from “The Squid and the Whale”?
Jeff Daniels: I know I’m not bipolar or schizophrenic, but this career allows you to explore, to take some facets of yourself and spin it. There were two things I took in Squid. One was the underappreciated factor, lots of people getting nominated and getting $20 million a movie; I don’t. So I could tap into Bernard feeling underappreciated, pour gas on it, lit it; that was Bernard. I also write plays, so I understand the writers mind, and how obsessed you can get writing. For Travis, RV’s, it’s about the journey not the destination. You suddenly plug into that and Bernard goes away. You funnel everything into the guy. It’s weird kind of using yourself, sometimes abusing yourself. Is it frustrating being underappreciated? Jeff Daniels: It’s disappointing, but it’s an item I can’t control. Robin was real good. We were shooting RV and I said, “Robin, I’m probably going to make a run for Squid. It may be my only chance, I don’t know.” He goes, “Just enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.
