Mila Kunis, A Damsel in Distress in The Book of Eli

CEBU, Philippines - Russian-born actress Mila Kunis (“Max Payne”) plays the mysterious Solara in Columbia Pictures’ post-apocalyptic action adventure “The Book of Eli” where a lone hero named Eli (Denzel Washington) must fight his way across the wasteland of a near-future America to protect a sacred book that might hold the key to saving humanity.

When Eli crosses through the town controlled by the gangster Carnegie (Gary Oldman), he becomes the focus of some unwelcome attention—not only from Carnegie, who wants to destroy him, but from Carnegie’s stepdaughter, Solara, an innocent who reminds him that being human means dealing with other human beings. In Eli’s desire to protect the book he thinks of nothing else, but part of his responsibility might also be to open himself up, to really give and do more for others. He’s been entrusted with carrying the book but he must also remember to carry its message. It could be the final test of his particular mission and he is very reluctant to take it on.

Carnegie’s household includes his blind common-law wife, Claudia (Jennifer Beals), and her daughter, Solara, both of whom he rescued from the badlands years ago and continues to protect—though that benevolence is often tainted by his own self-interest.          

Mila Kunis points out, “Carnegie keeps them safe, but they are virtually slaves for it. Solara is a smart girl, a young, strong spirit. She believes there is more to life than this town, but it’s not until she meets Eli that she is inspired to escape. Solara is fascinated and drawn to him. She wants to learn from him, follow him wherever he’s going and explore the rest of the world.”

The filmmakers recognized in Kunis the ability to convey vulnerability mixed with boldness and optimism, all of which define Solara as she ventures into a realm she has long been denied. “Mila is a firecracker,” says director Albert Hughes. “She plays Solara in a way that lets you watch her grow, and she grows up fast once outside of Carnegie’s control.”

Solara shares a strong bond with her mother, Claudia, played by Jennifer Beals. Together, the two women endure Carnegie’s tempers and ill-treatment for each others’ sake. Beals explains, “Claudia lives for her daughter. Through her relationship with Carnegie she is able to provide Solara with food and clothes and some of the amenities that are completely impossible for other people to get. If Carnegie is the king of this place he has created, then Claudia is its powerless queen.” 

Albert Hughes credits Beals with “playing all their tortured history in her face. There’s not a lot of dialogue so she communicates a lot through her body language and her expressions.”

Like Solara, Claudia too has a strong reaction to Eli’s arrival. “He is the first person aside from Solara who shows Claudia unmitigated kindness, and it reminds her of what civilization used to be and how people were once capable of behaving,” says Beals. “It’s a sliver of hope and it gives her strength. The fact that Eli stands up to Carnegie is thrilling for her because it’s something she would love to do but can’t.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, “The Book of Eli” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.sonypictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.