Jeremy Piven's Hardest Acting Role

For his first leading role in a film, Jeremy Piven plays Buddy 'Aces' Israel. According to the International Movie Database (imdb.com), the plotline for Smokin' Aces is as follows:

"When a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel (Piven) decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing."

Interviews late this morning on The View, Piven claims that his part in this film was the most difficult role he has ever had to play. Having become a household name on the hit HBO series Entourage, for which he was nominated to receive a Golden Globe this year, this is saying a lot. Much of his action revolves around his ability to perform card tricks as his entertainment character.

Director Joe Carnahan told him if he couldn't make the tricks, the film wouldn't be any good. Carnahan had quite a collection of actors to direct. The big names include:

• Ben Affleck
• Jason Bateman
• Andy Garcia
• Alicia Keys
• Ray Liotta
• Ryan Reynolds
• And of course, Jeremy Piven, among others.

After some critical review, Carnahan wrote a post on his blog, found at http://www.smokinjoecarnahan.com/ that stated he was happy the film is on its own in the viewing world. He also voiced some choice words for the critics who remarked negatively about the film, beginning the post with "Fu*k the critics that don't get it and I don't give a sh&t if every last one of 'em goes bad on the movie." It is quite a read.

Proving that he did learn the card tricks, Piven performed one during the interview. In this trick, he released a deck of cards into the air, subsequently pulling out the lone Ace of Spades.

Piven also announced how not being pretty helped him perfect his craft. He believes that many times, pretty actors are thrown into their careers and their future is stinted from the immediate blow-up. They can become typecast into those roles and never get the chance to expand their acting experience.

Piven was never allowed to audition for the role of the guy who gets the girl, and feels as though he has benefited greatly from this. By being forced to play the dramatic roles, he has had to work very hard as an apprentice to his job.

Be sure to check out the official film website at http://www.smokinaces.net/ to learn how you can enter a contest to win a cool million.