Although the plot of 'Sympathy for Delicious' borders on the supernatural, the film, directed by actor Mark Ruffalo, has its roots in fact. When the first-time director's close friend Christopher
Thornton was paralyzed from the waist down in a hiking accident, he was sure that his career was finished, but Ruffalo encouraged him not to give up. Thornton eventually wrote the script for 'Sympathy for Delicious' based on his personal struggles as a paralyzed actor.
The film follows Dean O'Dwyer (Thornton), a DJ on the rise who watches his life and career fall apart after a motorcycle leaves him confined to a wheelchair. At the lowest point in his life, he discovers that he has an ability to heal people, but instead of pursuing a righteous path, he abuses his power to chase fame and money as a rock star.
With an all-star cast including Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney and Juliette Lewis, the film addresses the heavy themes of tragedy, greed and redemption with a playful, mischievous spin thanks to the direction of Ruffalo. PopEater caught up with the cast of 'Sympathy for Delicious' to talk about working with Mark Ruffalo, being directed by Mark Ruffalo and the genius that is Mark Ruffalo.