(continued)

LADIES' MAN Garlin with costars Sarah Silverman and Bonnie Hunt

The New York Times interviewed you last year when your movie was first premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. The article made you seem nervous and insecure about how the film would be received. How are you feeling now that you've received some good reviews?
I'm very secure as a person, I'm secure as a father. I'm secure in what I do. But you know, when you make a movie that's yours, that's personal, it's harder to take criticism. The fact that I've gotten all these positive reviews and the movie seems to be doing well at the box office alleviates most of that tension.

So you read the reviews?
Not consciously. Someone might say to me, you should read it, the New York Times wrote a great review. I'm like, hey, why not read that? Generally, I don't believe the reviews one way or another. They can say I'm great, they can say I suck. I know what I am.

BUDDY COMEDY Garlin with Curb creator Larry David

Curb Your Enthusiasm also premiered last week. You've said you think it might be the last season.
I think every year is the last season. This year more than ever, but we'll see. I think all shows should go out on top. Who wants to go out when they're sucking up the place? Curb does have one thing that's different from other shows. We have Larry David, and Larry David doesn't need to work. He only needs to do the show because he has something creative to say. He doesn't need the money. The only reason he'll do another season is if he has a good idea.

Cheese isn't your directorial debut. You also got behind the camera for an episode of Curb, right?
I like directing my own things, my own projects. Even if I direct Curb Your Enthusiasm, it's still Larry David's show.
Yes, I directed one episode in season two because Larry promised me I could. But you know, being the executive producer and an actor on the show gives me more than my share of creative input. I like directing my own things, my own projects. Even if I direct Curb Your Enthusiasm, it's still Larry David's show.

How does Larry take direction?
Fine. Great. He doesn't give any problems. But, to me, being a good director doesn't mean that you're ordering everybody around. It means that you're helping to shape whatever it is. In the case of Curb Your Enthusiasm, you're really working to shape whatever is Larry David's vision.

Any big changes or major plot twists this season?
Nothing I can talk about. Larry David has sworn me to secrecy. He takes these things pretty seriously.

SUPERBAD'S MICHAEL CERA IS ONE MILD AND CRAZY GUY >>