Talking 'Tinker Tailor' with Oldman and Firth
NEW YORK
–
When addressing his cinematic highness Colin Firth, it's prudent to remember that he won an Oscar this year for playing King George.
"He insists that you call him Lord Sir," reveals Firth's current co-star Gary Oldman as he waits for the actor to arrive for a joint interview.
With script-worthy timing, Firth swoops into the small Scandinavian
restaurant where the actors are meeting. "Sorry to be so late. I don't
know why I am. Anyway, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? Don't want to spoil
your evening," says the dashing, gregarious Firth.
Oldman, whose outward reserve belies a sly and quick wit, informs Firth
of what's on the menu, given the venue. "I took the liberty of ordering
you some Swedish meatballs."
Firth looks a bit dismayed, albeit comically so. "Would Sir like some Swedish meatballs?" he gently corrects Oldman.
Their relationship is more nuanced, and fraught, in the Cold War thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,
based on John le Carré's classic novel and opening Friday. Oldman, 53,
carries the film as the inscrutable, invisible yet lethal George Smiley,
a seemingly washed-up agent brought back to plug the leak in the top
tier of British intelligence. Firth, 51, smolders on the sidelines as
Smiley's colleague Bill Haydon, one of the men suspected of being the
mole selling information to the Russians.
The film is the anti-Bourne and anti-Bond: It's cerebral, minimalist and
atmospheric, with no seductive women, sleek cars or high-tech
weaponry. Oldman's enigmatic Smiley spends the first portion of the fil***ogging through life, without uttering a word.
"When (his wife) describes him as almost a reptile who can regulate his
body temperature, that helped me with the stillness," says Oldman of
playing Smiley. "I think this film is like watching a lava lamp. The
pace of the movie, it packs a lot in, and you never feel that it's
rushed."
If Smiley is a cool, clear vodka tonic, then Haydon is a Kir Royal: flashy, sparkling and loud.
"I think Haydon and Smiley are fairly opposite. Haydon is someone who,
as a character, works at his character. Haydon is flamboyant and
self-conscious. Smiley has a lot more integrity than that. Part of his
strategy in life, and what he does, is to disappear," says Firth.
"Haydon wants to be seen. He wears red socks. He thinks he's Lawrence of
Arabia."
Tinker represents Oldman's first lead role in years, following
notable supporting turns in Christopher Nolan's Batman films, as
upstanding cop Jim Gordon, and as Harry Potter's wise godfather Sirius Black in the blockbuster films. And after a critically acclaimed September premiere in Venice, Tinker
has ushered in Oscar talk for Oldman, who has never been nominated
despite memorable performances as volatile bassist Sid Vicious in 1986's
Sid and Nancy and an oily politician in 2000's The Contender.
Oldman's quietly deadly portrayal of Smiley, says Firth, "is the best
performance I've seen in years — not just from him, but from anyone."
NEW YORK
–
When addressing his cinematic highness Colin Firth, it's prudent to remember that he won an Oscar this year for playing King George.
"He insists that you call him Lord Sir," reveals Firth's current co-star Gary Oldman as he waits for the actor to arrive for a joint interview.
With script-worthy timing, Firth swoops into the small Scandinavian
restaurant where the actors are meeting. "Sorry to be so late. I don't
know why I am. Anyway, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? Don't want to spoil
your evening," says the dashing, gregarious Firth.
Oldman, whose outward reserve belies a sly and quick wit, informs Firth
of what's on the menu, given the venue. "I took the liberty of ordering
you some Swedish meatballs."
Firth looks a bit dismayed, albeit comically so. "Would Sir like some Swedish meatballs?" he gently corrects Oldman.
Their relationship is more nuanced, and fraught, in the Cold War thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,
based on John le Carré's classic novel and opening Friday. Oldman, 53,
carries the film as the inscrutable, invisible yet lethal George Smiley,
a seemingly washed-up agent brought back to plug the leak in the top
tier of British intelligence. Firth, 51, smolders on the sidelines as
Smiley's colleague Bill Haydon, one of the men suspected of being the
mole selling information to the Russians.
The film is the anti-Bourne and anti-Bond: It's cerebral, minimalist and
atmospheric, with no seductive women, sleek cars or high-tech
weaponry. Oldman's enigmatic Smiley spends the first portion of the fil***ogging through life, without uttering a word.
"When (his wife) describes him as almost a reptile who can regulate his
body temperature, that helped me with the stillness," says Oldman of
playing Smiley. "I think this film is like watching a lava lamp. The
pace of the movie, it packs a lot in, and you never feel that it's
rushed."
If Smiley is a cool, clear vodka tonic, then Haydon is a Kir Royal: flashy, sparkling and loud.
"I think Haydon and Smiley are fairly opposite. Haydon is someone who,
as a character, works at his character. Haydon is flamboyant and
self-conscious. Smiley has a lot more integrity than that. Part of his
strategy in life, and what he does, is to disappear," says Firth.
"Haydon wants to be seen. He wears red socks. He thinks he's Lawrence of
Arabia."
Tinker represents Oldman's first lead role in years, following
notable supporting turns in Christopher Nolan's Batman films, as
upstanding cop Jim Gordon, and as Harry Potter's wise godfather Sirius Black in the blockbuster films. And after a critically acclaimed September premiere in Venice, Tinker
has ushered in Oscar talk for Oldman, who has never been nominated
despite memorable performances as volatile bassist Sid Vicious in 1986's
Sid and Nancy and an oily politician in 2000's The Contender.
Oldman's quietly deadly portrayal of Smiley, says Firth, "is the best
performance I've seen in years — not just from him, but from anyone."
感动~~
我还是一个个词对着翻译看完的。。当学英语了。。。。
