{picspam} genderswap: never let me go
OH GOD THIS IS FINALLY DONE. This is the product of a great deal of procrastination and, obviously, Vickie's request that I tackle this. I think I'e apologised about a million times already but I feel it's worth re-iterating for a final time: I am not what one would call a proficent (or efficient) user of Photoshop. So let's just leave the rudimentary nature of my ~graphics to one side and talk casting. Because what do I love more than casting?
Well, lots of things but, it's up there. Here we go.
"It had never occurred to me that our lives, so closely interwoven, could unravel with such speed. If I'd known, maybe I'd have kept tighter hold of them."
JAMIE BELL as KATHY.
Kathy was actually the last person I cast for this because try as I might, I really was having trouble thinking of someone who could make Kathy as passive as she needs to be, yet still communicative. And then, still from Jane Eyre appeared and it just clicked. Jamie would, I think, be able to embody that odd blend of passive and passionate that kind of rules at the heart of Kathy. He is, I think, a woefully underrated actor ever since he's grown up but he's more than capable of carrying the weight of an adaptation like this as well as delivering a really poignant performance.
"Pictures, poetry and sculpture; say something about your soul. That's the point of art isn't it? It says what's inside of you, it reveals your soul."
RUTH NEGGA as TOMMY.
When it came to thinking of Tommy, Ruth was really the only one I considered. Andrew's performance was, by far, my favourite thing about this film and so, trying to match that was really, really hard. My choosing her is heavily predicated on her performance as Ophelia in The National's recent production of Hamlet. I have trouble connecting to Ophelia on stage, particularly when it gets to her descent into ~madness but Ruth made her not only engaging, but had this quiet steeliness to her. As an actor, Ruth is capable of giving both the huge amount of restraint required for Tommy, but also the vulnerability and the quiet understanding of his situation you see in the way he holds himself.
"We are modeled on trash."
EDDIE REDMAYNE as RUTH.
Eddie was the first person I cast for this, absolutely the first person who came to mind. Eddie is wonderfully versatile as an actor. I think he would really bring out not only that desperate need to fit in, whether it's between Tommy and Ruth or with the other couples at the Cottages, that Ruth suffers from. He would be amazing at masking the fear of being left behind with snappish remarks and cold, calculated statements. He just has this energy about him that lends itself really well to this role.
"Suppose you lot would know about that sort of thing. Being from Hailsham, you'd know how that sort of thing works."
HARRY LLOYD as CHRISSIE & OLIVIA GRANT as RODNEY.
Luckily these two actors have known each other since primary school, which is really handy because the chemistry is pretty much built in. This really was just fortuitous casting because I needed two actors who are both adept at being a little light-hearted and yet can capture the intensity that Rodney and Chrissie have. The two of them are desperately in love and searching for any way that will enable them to just hold on to it that little bit longer, which is the most heartbreaking thing. The minute I saw a picture of them together, I could picture them in that café, asking awkwardly about deferrals.
"None of you will go to America. None of you will work in supermarkets. None of you will do anything, except live the life that has already been set out for you. You will become adults, but only briefly."
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH as MISS LUCY.
Miss Lucy, though she has little screen time, is integral to the story. She needed to be cast as someone who can appear quiet and can convince us of the genuine nature of her concern. Benedict, despite being so striking, is able to fall away from a scene making himself important but not pulling attention away from the protagonist. Also, after seeing him at the Children's Monologues (god a lot of them got in here :s), he is more than able to deliver a heartfelt speech but keep it halting, keep it restrained.
"There are those who seek to thwart us - this is clear. And we are aware that the tide is not with forward thinking. It never is. No, the tide is with the entrenched mindset, with values that are still unexamined."
BILL NIGHY as MISS EMILY
Let's admit it, there is no-one to rival Charlotte Rampling but Bill Nighy comes pretty close. I know in recent years he has somewhat carved a niche for himself in more comic than dramatic roles but he does have a gravitas about him. I could see him giving those assemblies, being the figure of authority that is distant and revered. Trying to find pictures that indicate this however, proved really damn difficult.
"So."
VINCENT CASSEL as MADAME.
I ask you who else you would have picked - I mean really? Admittedly, I'm not as up on French actors as I ought to be but I think Vincent would be able to convey Madame's conflicting revulsion and curiosity really well.
AND THUS THE GENDERSWAP IS CONCLUDED.
Well, lots of things but, it's up there. Here we go.
"It had never occurred to me that our lives, so closely interwoven, could unravel with such speed. If I'd known, maybe I'd have kept tighter hold of them."
JAMIE BELL as KATHY.
Kathy was actually the last person I cast for this because try as I might, I really was having trouble thinking of someone who could make Kathy as passive as she needs to be, yet still communicative. And then, still from Jane Eyre appeared and it just clicked. Jamie would, I think, be able to embody that odd blend of passive and passionate that kind of rules at the heart of Kathy. He is, I think, a woefully underrated actor ever since he's grown up but he's more than capable of carrying the weight of an adaptation like this as well as delivering a really poignant performance.
"Pictures, poetry and sculpture; say something about your soul. That's the point of art isn't it? It says what's inside of you, it reveals your soul."
RUTH NEGGA as TOMMY.
When it came to thinking of Tommy, Ruth was really the only one I considered. Andrew's performance was, by far, my favourite thing about this film and so, trying to match that was really, really hard. My choosing her is heavily predicated on her performance as Ophelia in The National's recent production of Hamlet. I have trouble connecting to Ophelia on stage, particularly when it gets to her descent into ~madness but Ruth made her not only engaging, but had this quiet steeliness to her. As an actor, Ruth is capable of giving both the huge amount of restraint required for Tommy, but also the vulnerability and the quiet understanding of his situation you see in the way he holds himself.
"We are modeled on trash."
EDDIE REDMAYNE as RUTH.
Eddie was the first person I cast for this, absolutely the first person who came to mind. Eddie is wonderfully versatile as an actor. I think he would really bring out not only that desperate need to fit in, whether it's between Tommy and Ruth or with the other couples at the Cottages, that Ruth suffers from. He would be amazing at masking the fear of being left behind with snappish remarks and cold, calculated statements. He just has this energy about him that lends itself really well to this role.
"Suppose you lot would know about that sort of thing. Being from Hailsham, you'd know how that sort of thing works."
HARRY LLOYD as CHRISSIE & OLIVIA GRANT as RODNEY.
Luckily these two actors have known each other since primary school, which is really handy because the chemistry is pretty much built in. This really was just fortuitous casting because I needed two actors who are both adept at being a little light-hearted and yet can capture the intensity that Rodney and Chrissie have. The two of them are desperately in love and searching for any way that will enable them to just hold on to it that little bit longer, which is the most heartbreaking thing. The minute I saw a picture of them together, I could picture them in that café, asking awkwardly about deferrals.
"None of you will go to America. None of you will work in supermarkets. None of you will do anything, except live the life that has already been set out for you. You will become adults, but only briefly."
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH as MISS LUCY.
Miss Lucy, though she has little screen time, is integral to the story. She needed to be cast as someone who can appear quiet and can convince us of the genuine nature of her concern. Benedict, despite being so striking, is able to fall away from a scene making himself important but not pulling attention away from the protagonist. Also, after seeing him at the Children's Monologues (god a lot of them got in here :s), he is more than able to deliver a heartfelt speech but keep it halting, keep it restrained.
"There are those who seek to thwart us - this is clear. And we are aware that the tide is not with forward thinking. It never is. No, the tide is with the entrenched mindset, with values that are still unexamined."
BILL NIGHY as MISS EMILY
Let's admit it, there is no-one to rival Charlotte Rampling but Bill Nighy comes pretty close. I know in recent years he has somewhat carved a niche for himself in more comic than dramatic roles but he does have a gravitas about him. I could see him giving those assemblies, being the figure of authority that is distant and revered. Trying to find pictures that indicate this however, proved really damn difficult.
"So."
VINCENT CASSEL as MADAME.
I ask you who else you would have picked - I mean really? Admittedly, I'm not as up on French actors as I ought to be but I think Vincent would be able to convey Madame's conflicting revulsion and curiosity really well.
AND THUS THE GENDERSWAP IS CONCLUDED.