Interview: Amy Adams
Interview
with Actress Amy Adams
Star
of "Doubt"
Currently
one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, Amy Adams first came to
international attention after her role in 2005's "Junebug".
Since
then, her star has risen inexorably, featuring as a Disney princess in "Enchanted", a flighty actress
in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" and Tom Hanks’ secretary in "Charlie Wilson’s War".
For
the moment, Adams takes on her most dramatic role as Sister James in "Doubt". The delightfully charming
Adams sits down to chat about her craft, the film and life.
How did
you prepare for Doubt?
How did I prepare? Panic!
No, I'm kidding… we had three weeks of rehearsal. John didn't get on my
case but he said, "You should really talk about it more because you
came in really prepared!".
I was so like the girl who wanted to make a good impression on the
first day of school. I knew all my lines and knew everything about the
play. I knew other people's lines!
Had you
seen the play before?
Yes. I felt a great responsibility to the play but at the same time,
the script is different and opening it up, provides a different
feeling.
I had to really let the play go. I was like, "Yes but in the play…"
How did
you find wearing the habit?
The bonnet got a little painful but I liked wearing the habit. You knew
it was going to fit! There are no zippers. It is all
fastenings with ties and buttons.
It was many layers and it helped you feel… it forced a certain posture
and walk. The shoes were so comfortable. I’m typically in high heels
and these were orthopaedic shoes.
How was
your Spielberg experience on Catch
Me If You Can?
It was great. I loved it. I would love to work with him again. It was
extremely intimidating, though. I do have this way of when I'm
intimidated or challenged, I tend to get tunnel vision and very
focused. I try not to pay attention to all of the external voices.
They turned out to be so easy to work with. I was scared - "Are they
going to be easy to work with?". It was a big mystery to me. It always
is when you go in. Like going into Doubt
with Meryl.
How was
it working with her?
The idea is terrifying. The actual execution is actually a lot of fun.
Meryl is a fantastic scene partner, and it's not as if she saves it all
for when the camera is on her. She really gives you a lot to work with.
So any intimidation on the set is purely brought on by my own
insecurities and has nothing to do with her person.
You
worked with Philip Seymour Hoffman on Charlie Wilson’s War,
so you knew what to expect with him…
I had the wisdom to be terrified! I love him. I think we would be
really great together as foils to one another. He is a lot of fun and
he has got a big heart. He is just a great guy. And a frickin’
fantastic actor.
You are
in another film with Meryl Streep soon, Julie & Julia.
Who do you play?
I play Julie Powell, who wrote the book Julie & Julia.
She is approaching her thirtieth birthday and questioning her life,
when she decides to cook her way through the art of French cooking by
Julia Child, and write a book about it.
And it follows her journey and growth through that year and it
parallels Julia Child’s experience in France as she’s composing the
cookbook. It parallels these two women’s lives.
How did
you cope with turning thirty?
It’s an interesting experience. You really start to take inventory of
what you’ve done, or what you’re going to do. You can’t really pretend
to be a kid anymore. You don’t really have the same excuses. You have
to be accountable now.
So whatever damage your parents did, or whatever damage you did, it’s
now time to own it all and get on with it, so to
speak.
You’re
also in Night at the Museum 2.
Who do you play?
I’m a new character. All of the same guys return, and additionally we
have Hank Azaria and Christopher Guest…and I’m playing the pilot Amelia
Earheart.
How did
you feel being around comedians like Ben Stiller and Robin Williams on
set?
I’m glad I don’t have to compete! That’s not what I do! For me, it was
good fun. I got to watch and figure out where to put my line.
Like Ben Stiller and Robin Williams are doing improv, and I just need
to say my line and make it make sense. So that's my biggest goal in
those scenes. But I get uber focused. Ben Stiller and Robin Williams
were making each other laugh and I was very serious. I think that made
Robin laugh even harder, as I came in completely earnest with my line.
So
you’re the straight man to them?
I enjoy that - but I think I’m much funnier than Ben off screen! I
think Ben would concur. I love Ben. I had a great time working with
him… but I’m definitely funnier off screen! Or I definitely think I’m
funnier off-screen.
And I’m certain I’m not funnier on
screen.
It
seems you’re finding a nice balance between indies and studio movies
right now?
I’m working at it. It’s important to me to keep things loose. The
actors and actresses that I admire the most are not defined by genre.
Like Frances McDormand, Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon… these were
women who were a great positive influence on me and my choices.
You
were born in Italy, right?
I was born in Italy, in Vicenza. My Dad was in the army. I went back a
couple of years ago, and it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve
ever seen in the world.
I loved it so much. It’s weird – it seems to be a part of me.
I realised when I went back a lot of my personal aesthetic, what I
prefer, is very similar to what’s there. Expensive shoes, wine, pizza –
no, I’m kidding!
So how
did you earn a living as an actress when you started?
I spent eight years doing dinner theatre before I moved to Los Angeles,
and I’ve been here now for ten years. I loved dinner theatre. For me,
it’s always been a profession. It’s not just a dream or a fantasy – it
was how I paid my bills.
Did you
splurge your first big pay-cheque?
It depends. I think your perspective of a large pay-cheque changes over
time. So the first time I got what I thought was a large pay-cheque, I
got a set of matching towels. I was like, "I can now get towels from
Bed, Bath & Beyond", because I had taken hand-me-down towels
from friends and family for so long.
So that was a big pay-cheque for me at the time.
So now
you must have great towels?
I get them from Target. They are the best towels in the whole world.
They are! Thomas O’Brien towels!
"Doubt" IS
OUT NOW ON DVD.
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