PEOPLE: 'The Shipping News' Cast Talks

By Jeanne Darst

12/18/2001 at 12:16 PM EST

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom ("My Life as a Dog," "The Cider House Rules"), "The Shipping News" features a supporting cast of relative newcomers, like Jason Behr of TV's alien drama "Roswell," as well as superstars Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett and Kevin Spacey. The movie traces the return of a man (played by Spacey) to his ancestral home in Newfoundland. On hand in New York to discuss the movie were Behr 28, and costars Scott Glenn, 59, and Rhys Ifans, 33. Behr says he immersed himself completely in the "Newfie" (slang for the locals) lifestyle. "I ate moose sausage, moose steak, moose nuggets, it wasn't bad at all," the actor, who gained 15 pounds for the role, said. "I also ate things I never thought I would, should or ever will again." Glenn, who arrived in Newfoundland before any of the movie's crew, spoke highly of the its denizens' hospitality. "Newfoundland is the kind of place when you get a flat tire, they fix it for you immediately, or if it's too late, they take you home and give you the best bed in the house."