The serious side of Zac Efron

MANILA, Philippines - Since becoming a cultural phenomenon in High School Musical movies, Zac Efron has slowly but effectively built a career for himself as a leading man in movies like Hairspray, 17 Again, and his latest effort, Charlie St. Cloud, which reunites him with his 17 Again director Burr Steers and offers audiences another opportunity to gaze into those crystal blue eyes of his.

In the film, Efron plays the title character, an ambitious high school graduate who foregoes a promising college after his younger brother dies in an automobile accident.

Below are excerpts from an interview with Zac:

What did you feel when you first read the script? “The second I read it I immediately felt that the biggest challenge for me would be to get to the emotional place I had to go to, and sustain it. And if anyone was going to help me achieve it I knew it would be Burr Steers.”

How did you relate to your character?

“I think I understood how Charlie St. Cloud had grown up without a father in a poor family and looked after his little brother, but despite all that had still managed to make a name for himself. I felt I could relate to him especially in regards to his close relationship with his bother. And I actually looked at some pictures of my brother over the years to help me.”

And then everything changes…

“Yes, it all gets stripped away from him in a moment when he loses his brother in a car accident. At an emotional level I can’t imagine how devastating that must be, because I don’t know how I could deal with Charlie’s guilt and live without my brother.”

This film represents a bit of a departure from your previous work. Was that another reason to do it?

Who is Charlie St. Cloud in your eyes?

“He is a warrior with that golden boy kind of charm; which makes it so weird when he falls off that path and goes to a dark place. I guess he is too good of a guy to just shake it, and I think that happens to a lot of people when they experience loss; but at least Charlie is able to bounce back.”

The role of his brother Sam is played by the newcomer Charlie Tahan.

“Charlie is just amazing! It’s almost not fair because he is so talented and not afraid to be himself and let his own personality shine through. He actually reminds me of my own brother.”

Both of you looked so comfortable together. Was it all scripted or did you improvise?

“We did improvise a bit. And Charlie’s great at that because he is very quick! He was always able to throw things at me and constantly surprise me.”

And what do you think Canadian actress Amanda Crew brought to the role of Tess?

“Amanda is a generous actress who is easy-going and relaxed, and she is also not afraid to experiment. So, we talked a lot and relied on each other.”

In the movie your character is a consummate sailor, but you had to acquire those skills. How was that learning experience for you?

“Initially I thought the wind blew in your sail and you just went with it. So, how hard could it be? Well, it’s very hard! And I’m usually pretty good at picking up a new set of skills, but sailing didn’t come that easy to me as you are constantly making minute adjustments based on where the wind comes from and how it changes. You really have to multitask.”

Charlie St. Cloud is released and distributed by United International Pictures through Solar Entertainment Corp. Showing on Sept. 29.