Sexy Beast

All About

Justin Timberlake

Get the latest photos, news, and more

''That was cool,'' he says of the Black Snake Moan screening at Sundance, the first time he had seen a proper print of the film. ''I love the movie. I want to be involved in things that are inspiring to me. I guess I just have to trust my taste barometer.''

Of course, Hollywood's dustbin of history overflows with music stars who tried, and failed, to make it in Tinseltown. Moreover, the singer's features are handsome enough to preclude him from many character roles, and perhaps too soft to scream ''movie idol.'' But similar things were once said of Will Smith, and Black Snake Moan director Craig Brewer has no problem comparing the two.

''Little by little, [Will Smith] made choices that edged him closer to being a better artist,'' says Brewer. ''And Justin is on that road. He could probably go the Glitter route. [But] that's not what he's chosen to do.... He's choosing roles that push him outside the comfort zone. That is a sign of someone who is going to have a career that is going to last decades.'' Samuel L. Jackson is equally effusive in his praise: ''He went for it every time,'' says the veteran actor of his costar. ''In fact, there was one point where I said, 'Wow, he's gonna run out of tears in a minute.'''

''Hey, have we paid the check?'' asks a clearly concerned Timberlake after our post-meal coffees have been cleared away. Dinner with the star is nearly over, which is a shame. He is remarkably good company: bright, funny, informed, and voluble on almost any subject that does not clash with this Southern gent's aversion to kissing-and-telling. His reticence even applies when the kissing happens to be on screen. Asked what it was like to film Black Snake Moan's opening raunchy sex scene with Ricci, he protests that he's ''not gonna answer those questions.... Christina is hot, by the way. But, you know...''

He is also, obviously, someone who believes in doing the right thing. And right now, that means disappearing to hunt down our waitress and ensure that the check has been taken care of, despite the 99.9 percent chance that his publicist would have already done so.

When Timberlake reappears, he has a big smile on his face. ''You missed something there, dude,'' he says. ''I was at the bar and this girl said to me, 'Hey, I'm bringing sexy back.' And you missed it! You're a terrible journalist.''

''I'm joking,'' Timberlake laughs. ''I'm just breaking your balls...''

And the silly man disappears into the Manhattan night. Laughing.

(Additional reporting by Neil Drumming)

(For more Justin Timberlake, see the EW.com Q&A here.)