Int: Patricia Clarkson

Marcello Paolillo met with director Craig Lucas and actress Patricia Clarkson in New York.

Q: Craig talked about how nervous he was while shooting his first film. How was working with him?

A: The Dying Gaul was his directorial debut, but he’s not totally new to films, and he definitely knew what he wanted and what he was doing. We gave some suggestions, but nothing major. The biggest issue was that we had only 25 days of shooting, can you believe it? Besides, Craig is an amazing screenwriter. Think at the job he did with the adaptation of The Secret Lives of Dentists! I had seen the play of The Dying Gaul before, but he did some great changes to the scripts. He opened it and rethought it completely in order to made the story more cinematic. It was a beautiful experience, but I remember we had some very painful days on the set because the script was very personal and heartfelt for him, and the characters were so emotional and complex that we all got affected.

Q: Which is the worst soul-crashing experience you had?

A: Soul-crashing happens everyday in this job. Not to the extent of this film, but it happens. You always get stepped over. You have to fight every day for a daring script, and producers keep promising you that they will consider it, and of course they never read it or call you back. And if they do, they say that they will come onboard only if there’s a huge star in it. But I have to admit that now it’s somehow easier for me. Being nominated for an Academy Award helped me in getting more consideration. In a way, success is sweeter when it comes later. You stay grounded and enjoy it more. I am not a big movie star, but I have an amazing life, and I happen to do great movies. I’ve been offered a lot of money for more commercial titles, but I’d never trade it for the Independent films I did. I feel very lucky to have people like Craig Lucas, or George Clooney, coming to me and proposing me beautiful roles in their movies. Or take for example All the King’s Men! It’s an amazing script with an incredible cast [Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini and Anthony Hopkins]. Meryl Streep dropped out at the last minute and I got the role! It’s an epic movie about politics. But again, as for Good Night and Good Luck, I love politics!

Q: There’s a very sad moment of loss and melanchony in the film, when your character, after reading the script of Robert, goes back to her studio and look at her old scripts…

A: I love that moment, and I am so happy that Craig kept it. I think Elaine used to be a great screenwriter, but then she gave everything up. She married a famous producer, had kids, and buried herself in a glass house with power and money. And when she meets Robert, she falls in love with him because he is a blast from the past. In a way, when she makes up all those stories, chatting with him online, she fulfills her repressed desires.

Q: Did you make any research about dating online?

A: No, no. But I did enter a gay chat years ago, with a friend of mine. It was an interesting experience. But that’s not my thing. I am technologically challenged. I don’t even have a computer!

Q: So, was it more challenging: to play in those very explicit online dialogues or to wear a white bikini?

A: Definitely the bikini, dialogues were easy! I tell you: to wear a bikini, especially a white bikini, is even harder than being naked! But Craig wanted the image of a real Hollywood wife, a “trophy wife”, and I’ve met many of them… They all have amazing bodies, and are always impeccably tanned. To look beautiful is their job, in a way. I did some exercises and walked with my dog and on the trademill to get ready for that scene…

Q: You worked with two of my personal gods: Todd Haynes and Lars Von Trier. How was it working with them?

A: They couldn’t be more different. They are really anthitetical! Todd Haynes wrote me a very beautiful letter to ask me to work on Far from Heaven, and I simply couldn’t refuse it. He is so specific and structured! He has a perfectly clear idea of what he wants from you. Lars Von Trier, instead, is all about improvisation. He is very funny, and creative, and absolutely wild! You never know what’s coming, but I love the way he works. He pushes you all the time. You can never ever rest with Lars.

The Dying Gaul opens in New York and L.A on November 4th.