Just A Minute With: Paul Giamatti portraying himself

Actor Paul Giamatti poses for a portrait while promoting the film ''Cold Souls'' at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2009.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Paul Giamatti has always been attracted to difficult characters in offbeat projects such as the lovelorn wine drinker in "Sideways" and crusty comic book writer Harvey Pekar in "American Splendor."

Now the New York-based actor takes on the ultimate challenge playing himself, or a version thereof, in his new film "Cold Souls" debuting in theaters on Friday.

Written and directed by newcomer Sophie Barthes, the film stars Giamatti portraying an angst-ridden actor who is also Paul Giamatti and who literally has his soul surgically removed to help him cope with the stress of his career and life.

The actor spoke to Reuters about his new role.

Q: This is not your usual comedy. Describe it.

A: "No, it's a very low-key comedy, very melancholy, with a dark tone -- a great tone. It's set in New York and Russia, and I loved the whole idea of playing around with Russia as this very soulful place. It's definitely unusual."

Q: It's a bit like a hall of mirrors. You play yourself, but a fictionalized version. Was that weird?

A: "The only time it really struck me as very weird was when someone said my whole name during a scene, and I'd go, 'We should cut and start again because there's obviously a mistake there.' Then I'd remember I was actually playing me."

Q: Is it true you first got involved with this when Sophie approached you at the Nantucket Film Festival?

A: "She actually buttonholed my wife who told me, 'This would be great for you.' And my wife was really flattered to be played by Emily Watson in the film. But I think it was even weirder for her than me, as she isn't in the film, just her character."

Q: It must be very flattering to have a film written especially for you.

A: "Very, but here's the thing. Sophie originally wanted Woody Allen in the lead, as the whole idea for the script began with some dream she had about him. But as she felt she'd never be able to get him, she ended up with me instead. And it feels like a Woody Allen film to me -- the tone, the Russians, even the way it's shot. So although I was just a second choice, I was thrilled to be in it, as I love Woody."

Q: Haven't you worked with Woody a bit?

A: "I had a small part in "Mighty Aphrodite," and I was also in "Deconstructing Harry" with Philip Bosco who's been in six Woody films, and he warned me, 'I always get cut out in the end,' and sure enough, we both ended up on the cutting room floor. But I loved working with Woody. People said, 'He hates talking to actors.' But it's not true. He just doesn't make a lot of small talk, but he's the nicest guy. You can ask him anything and he'll answer."

Q: Did the film's themes get you and the cast discussing the soul's existence and philosophizing?

A: "To be honest, we didn't do a whole lot of metaphysical investigation, but I did pick up on Sophie's interest in Jung and I read some of his books. I don't know if I believe in the soul, but then I do have some sense that there's more to us than just skin and bones."

Q: You shot half the film in St. Petersburg, in winter. That must have been tough?

A: "The whole idea was to have all this snow everywhere, and it turned out to be one of the warmest winters on record, so it was a bit disappointing with the lack of snow. But it was still very cold."

Q: You spend your whole professional life playing other people -- including yourself, now. What's the real Paul Giamatti like?

A: "I don't know. I feel more and more like a total mystery to myself, like an enigma. And I don't know if acting makes you more self-aware or less so. It's all a mystery."

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Patricia Reaney)