STAR CHAT WITH PATRICIA CLARKSON
Tribute's Bonnie Laufer chats with the very talented Patricial Clarkson about her latest film, The Station Agent.
Streaming Video: Windows Media LO - HI (links to tribute.ca)
B.L. You never cease to amaze me - you are so good in The Station Agent.
P.C. Thanks so much Bonnie.
B.L. As I was watching this movie I couldn't help but think how natural it seemed between you, Peter Dinklage and Bobby Cannavale. What was it like?
P.C. That's exactly it. Me, Pete and Bobby. I've known Peter for many years through New York theater; Bobby I didn't know but what was fortunate was that it took about two years for the movie to be made so in that process we got to know each other. The movie was written for us by Tom McCarthy but over those two years the four of us became quite a quartet and quite close and so what was extraordinary was that suddenly we arrived at the moment to shoot and we had this second hand. We had a real ease and deep affection for one another, which I always believe that the energy off camera is what you see on. It was truly one of the most glorious times of my life shooting this film. I am so in love with Pete and Bobby and Tom I just want to work with them forever.
B.L. They feel the same way; I know that for sure. Peter was nothing short of brilliant in this movie.
P.C. Yes he is, and I've known that for years. I've seen him in the New York theater so I knew all that! Finally now everyone else can see his gloriousness.
B.L. Especially because so much of this movie is his expressions. It's really amazing.
P.C. He's got that Montgomery Clift quality to him. He's got that beautiful, vulnerable but incredibly masculine, but feminine presence. He's just a heartbreaker and falling in love with him was effortless.
B.L. Even knowing him so well, did anything surprise you about him?
P.C. Oh, always and that's what I love about film. Every day you set out and you know your lines and you know what you are shooting but something surprising always happens, so there were days when Pete would surprise me. We have some very beautiful and delicate scenes in this film that I tried not to think about before we shot so that I could come and be open and available for. There are some scenes that we shot that I will never forget as long as I live. It was late at night in this lake house in New Jersey - it was one of those moments that gives me the chills talking about it.
B.L. Was Olivia an emotionally draining character for you to play?
P.C. On certain days it was draining but on other days it was incredibly joyous and wonderful. I get to be the chick in this film, which was really kind of nice and sexy. I found a new energy because so often I'm playing ill and unhappy and discomforting women and it was nice to have two hot sexy men want to spend time with me everyday.
B.L. Why not!
P.C. But yes, there were aspects of Olivia that required me to go to those places that are not fun but they are the aspects that attract me to characters.
B.L. You get so many scripts and are in so many films - what is it for you when you look at a script that intrigues you to a part? How do you choose?
P.C. I am now in a position and I am very lucky that I am sent some very beautiful scripts. Often it can be a beautiful script but it's territory that I have been in. I have been sent a lot of scripts for women who have lost their children and I don't mean to make light of that but I do have to mix things up a bit. Often it is just the script and I have to say, "Of course I'll be a part of this, are you kidding me?" I am going to shoot my next project in Montreal and it's not an emotional character, it's a head mistress of a school and it's feisty and strict and distilled. It's a good place for me to be in right now!
B.L. The irony of this astounds me, but is there anyone from Dawson's Creek you have not worked with?
P.C. You are so funny that you put it all together! Whoever cast that show is a very talented, smart person because they are glorious talented actors. I loved kissing Joshua Jackson (Safety of Objects), I loved playing Katie Holmes' mother (Pieces of April) and I love Michelle Williams' (The Station Agent) quirky and eccentric nature and she is quite a delightful young woman. I have had a great experience with all of them. I am the common denominator now. (laughs)