When it comes to this year's February 14th, there are quite a few women around the world who would like Bradley Cooper to be their valentine.
Quite a few fellas too, of course.
Having risen up through the ranks of 'best friend' and 'the other guy' in such movies as Wedding Crashers (2005), Failure To Launch ('06) and The Rocker ('08), Cooper finally hit the no.1 spot with last year's The Hangover, the surprise summer blockbuster that took even more people by surprise last month when it picked up a Golden Globe for Best Film in the comedy and musical category.
"Wasn't that a blast!" laughs Cooper at the memory of it. "No one in that room thought we were going to win, including us. You know, this is Animal House, as far as many industry people are concerned, and those kinds of films aren't supposed to win awards. Arty comedies about middle class people having a mid-life crisis are supposed to win. Star-studded musicals with serious actors and old legends are supposed to win. Not a comedy about a bunch of guys who get wasted in Las Vegas and lose their buddy."
He's not wrong. On the night, Nora Ephron - who, with It's Complicated, had delivered the arty comedy about middle class people having a mid-life crisis - tore up her acceptance speech in protest. Whether she was joking or not, she got the tone just right.
For Bradley Cooper, it's just another little gold star to notch up on what he likes to call "the never-ending Hangover victory tour". Sure, the other movies that are already in the bag for Cooper - the much-much-delayed supernatural thriller Case 39 (well, it does star Renee Zellweger, so, what do you expect?) and the wacky Sandra Bullock comedy All About Steve - aren't exactly movies to boast about, but since The Hangover made him a bona fide box-office champ, this is one actor who knows he can now afford to be a little bit more choosy about the roles he takes on.
"It's a wonderful feeling, to actually have people come to me with roles," he smiles. "Up till now, I was pretty much chasing down the roles. Sometimes it was a struggle, sometimes it was a perfect fit, or someone who was just about doing me a favour. All that seems like a distant memory now though, as I find myself being one of the key factors for a movie getting made.
"That's just mindblowing!"
Who knows if it was his box-office champ status or his dashing good looks that got him the part of Lt. Templeton 'Faceman' Peck in the upcoming big-screen update of the popular 1980s TV series The A-Team, but Cooper's undoubtedly onto another winner. The rest of the cast includes the great Sharlto Copley (the hapless lead in last year's towering District 9) as Capt. 'Howling Mad' Murdock, mixed martial arts champ Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson as Sgt. Bosco 'B.A.' Baracus, and our own Liam Neeson as Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith. Holy. Crap.
"It's going to be incredible," smiles Cooper. "I can't give too much away, of course, but I spent the entire movie feeling like a kid who got to live out some great big fantasy before God takes him up to heaven. I kept expecting a bright light to beam me up at the end of the shoot.
"To take on such an iconic show, one that I grew up on, and to do so besides the likes of Liam Neeson - that's something I would never have dreamt of."
So, the Irish actor played daddy on set?
"I think all of us kinda looked upon Liam Neeson with a certain amount of awe," nods Cooper. "This is, you know, a Proper Actor. One that, you know, knows his stuff, and yet he's having all this fun with us. I'd seen Sharlto in District 9 too, and it was a thrill, just to work alongside him. As for Quinton, well, what can you say? The man's a machine, and perfect for the part."
We'll have to wait until the summer to see just how much fun was had by all. In the meantime, Cooper's got Valentine's Day to promote, another ensemble comedy not a million miles away from last year's He's Just Not That Into You. Which also starred Bradley Cooper. And last year's New York, I Love You. Which also starred Bradley Cooper. What is the big attraction then, exactly, with these star-studded ensemble romantic comedies?
"I guess a big part of it is not having to carry the movie," says Cooper. "And the fact that you'll get to work alongside the likes of Julia Roberts, or Shirley Maclaine, or God knows who. It's like summer camp for actors, and you just do your bit, and then wait and see how this big jigsaw all fits together.
"They're easy to make, and, you know, if it bombs, no one really gets hurt. Except the studio."
It's highly unlikely that Valentine's Day is going to bomb, even if it isn't particularly inspired. Imagine Love, Actually, only without the grit. Cooper plays Holden Bristow, dating a closeted gay footballer (Eric Dane), and opening up his heart to Julia Roberts' on-leave army officer as they share a flight. In another part of town, Ashton Kutcher is the florist about to propose to his girlfriend (Jessica Alba) as he discovers that the man (Patrick Dempsey) his best friend (Jennifer Garner) is dating happens to be married. You get the picture...
"It's directed by Garry Marshall, which was the big attraction for me," says Cooper. "This is the guy who gave us Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Happy Days; I'm willing to take a shot on that guy delivering something special."
For now, Cooper's got to fight for his right to a little private life. Having been married to actress Jennifer Esposito for about five minutes back in 2007, Cooper recently split up with his Case 39 co-star, Renee Zellweger. Much to no one's surprise. No one seems to make it to the bell with Zellweger.
So, for now, Cooper is an exceptionally good-looking Hollywood guy who can't seem to stay in a relationship. Which means, of course, he's probably gay.
"There's speculation all the time about people in Hollywood," he finishes, with something approaching a wry smile. Or maybe he's just trying to grin and bear the question. "It's pretty funny, because once a rumour starts in this town, it just spreads quicker than fire. Me and my mates have fun figuring out the truth from fiction, just like everybody else, and there are times, you know, when you're probably never going to know something.
"Not until the person is dead. Or washed-up. Whichever comes first..."
Words - Paul Byrne
Valentine's Day hits Irish screens Feb 12th 2010