Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Cruise’s Spencer Boldman

Spencer Boldman has been in the industry for over a decade. He’s worked hard honing his craft with the goal of one day starring in a full-length feature film.

That dream became a reality when he landed the coveted role as Gio Fortunato in Robert Siegel’s stylish, coming-of-age tale: Cruise. The story follows a young Italian living in Queens, New York during the summer of 1987. On the surface, he has it all: a great group of friends, his family, fast cars, and beautiful women. Underneath it all, though, he’s struggling to find his place in the world.

Spencer’s performance is confident and sincere while vulnerable at the same time. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Spencer about leading his first feature, transporting himself to the ’80s, and what he hopes audiences take away from the film.

PC: Tell us about Cruise.
Spencer: Cruise is an electric, sexy, fun movie about a young guy named Gio Fortunato. It takes place in the summer of ’87 in Queens, New York. He’s the resident badass in the neighborhood. He races cars and chases the ladies. He lives an epic lifestyle, but, he’s in that place in a young person’s life where he’s wanting something different, not necessarily better. Luckily, he meets this girl over the summer, who gives him a dose of perspective and turns his life upside down.

PC: The film’s set in 1987. What was it like for you as an actor to transport yourself to a time before you were born? How did you prepare to step into Gio’s shoes?
Spencer: Dude, it was so much fun! You still see the ’80s around today, whether that be in pop culture or fashion. It’s such a popular time period. I was born in 1992 and I thought I had a lot of fun growing up, but if the ’80s were as much fun as we had on set, then we have a lot to learn. In the film, Gio has a classic look. He’s a white tee, gelled hair, acid-wash kind of guy. The wardrobe certainty helped with the physicality of the character. It really helped me embody that Italian guido 1980s style.

We had so much fun making the movie and I hope that translates to the people in the audience. It’s not an intense story or one where you’ll have your heart ripped out of your chest, it’s a throwback to classic American cinema like Saturday Night Fever.

PC: If you could bring back an ’80s trend, what would it be and why?
Spencer: Oh man! I feel like so many ’80s trends are already back…maybe something acid-washed? I also love denim on denim, though I don’t know if it’s because I’m from Texas or what. Actually, let’s bring back the pager. That was hilarious to play with in the film.

Another thing that I would love to bring back is that culture of being with your friends and off your phone. There wasn’t Snapchat, Instagram, or social media back then. If you wanted to hang with the boys on a Friday night, you washed your car, and you got ready. You’d hit the boulevard to look for a date, get an ice cream cone, or socialize. It was such a different time back then. I’d love to bring that back.

PC: How similar or different would you say you are to Gio?
Spencer: I connected with his dreamer mentality. He thinks about other possibilities, places to travel, and things to experience, and I did my best to make sure that came across. I wanted the audience to be invested in him. I wanted to make sure I gave a layered performance where people saw his vulnerability and the juxtaposition between how he is with his friends and how he is with Emily Ratajkowski’s character, Jessica. Those two sides of him are very different. I loved exploring the vulnerabilities in him when he’s around a girl who’s about his age and seemingly has her life figured out. It makes him ask himself, “Am I behind? Am I doing something wrong?” It was fun to test those waters.

In terms of differences, I wish I could tell you that I’m as cool as him, but I’m not. I feel like people are going to be disappointed if they meet me. I’m really not that cool in person.

PC: It’s your first feature film as a leading man. Were there any nerves during the process and what did you learn from the experience?
Spencer: No, there weren’t really any. I’ve been in this business for over ten years, which isn’t as long as other people, but this is what you work towards. I was more excited and fired up about being the lead in the movie and carrying the film than I was nervous. It’s easy to be confident in that way when you have someone like Robert Siegel (The Founder, The Wrestler), our writer and director, behind you and guiding you. I trusted him wholeheartedly, even more so now, having been through this entire experience. He’s the real deal; he’s a fantastic talent and person.

I was also just excited to tell this story. It’s based off one of our producer’s, Gino Cafarelli, life growing up in the ’80s, hitting the boulevard, and cruising. It was such an interesting group of people and neighborhood to explore. It was an honor to film in the actual neighborhood that the movie is set in and meet the people from the story. I had so much fun. I wasn’t really concerned with any anxiety about being the lead.

PC: There’s a portion in the film when Gio is showing Jessica the neighborhood. Which group would you have belonged to growing up?
Spencer: That’s interesting! I definitely would not have been in the “cool guys” group. I wasn’t like that in high school. I don’t know…that’s a good question. I grew up playing sports and I did a little bit of everything. I’m trying to think if there was a specific group in the movie…the one that was just the funniest to me was the “guido” group that hung out with the girls at Whitestone Lanes. That was such a fun group of people. Everyone has their group. It’s hard to answer this question because I’m not Italian. In a neighborhood that’s primarily Italian, I don’t know where I would fit.

PC: Tell us about Gio’s relationship with Jessica and how it changes through the course of the film.
Spencer: What I liked about this movie is that it’s different. It taps into this universal theme of two people who are from different sides of the track and socioeconomic backgrounds coming together. It’s really a story about this guy who’s trying to figure out his life.

The other day, someone asked me, “When the movie ends, do you think they end up together?” To be honest, I don’t think they do. I know Rob agrees with me on that, too. It’s a summer relationship where everything is heightened. I don’t think they’re the love of each other’s lives. The movie isn’t an epic love story—it’s about these two people who meet and serve a purpose for each other. It’s a story about being proud of where you come from. I believe that Gio would still be living in this neighborhood as an adult. This relationship is mutually beneficial for both characters to grow, but it’s not a Romeo meets Juliet romance. Rob did that on purpose. He not only wanted to explore the neighborhood, he also wanted to tell a story with themes that we may not be used to.

PC: Which theme would you say has resonated with you the most?
Spencer: The love story is a piece of the greater puzzle. It’s a powerful piece, but it’s equally important to talk about Gio’s relationship with his boys and with his family. They all play a part of who he is. At the beginning of the film when we enter into his life, we see his day-to-day schedule, his day-to-day grind. I think the theme of gaining perspective within this electric backdrop of New York is the big picture takeaway. It was for me, at least. Love can be great and beautiful, but love is only a part of someone’s life, not the whole thing. I was looking at it from my character’s perspective as this guy who’s in a transitory phase in his life. He’s a little lost and confused on where he wants to go. How will he know when he hasn’t experienced life?

PC: In a lot of ways, this film pays homage to New York City. Do you have a favorite spot here?
Spencer: Oh my gosh! I love New York City. I would live there in a second if I could. I genuinely loved filming in Whitestone, Queens. We met so many great people there. We had so many people willing to donate cars and lend a hand there. Obviously, I love Manhattan. Being in that city is so exciting. It’s hard not to get attached.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Spencer: Ozark and anything on Netflix.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Spencer: Titantic. I’m a sucker for those epic, romance movies.

PC: Favorite book?
Spencer: I love Walden Two. It explores so much in the human psychology.

PC: Favorite play or music?
Spencer: I really loved Jersey Boys. I saw it on Broadway a few years ago. I met the cast and they’re so talented.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Spencer: Twenty One Pilots. My good friend is the drummer in that band. I love supporting my friends.

Make sure to follow Spencer on Twitter and Instagram, and check out Cruise in theaters today and/or on iTunes!

Photo Credit: Vertical Entertainment