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STREEP WORKS WITH CRUISE, REDFORD, ON POLITICAL DRAMA
Magazine / Source: The Inquirer, November 2007 |
Tom Cruise was rhapsodic about working with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in “Lions for Lambs”—confessing to being in awe in the presence of the two leads in the memorable “Out of Africa.” But Meryl offered an interesting take on what surprised her the most about Tom.
Meryl, considered the greatest actress of our time, acted opposite Tom for the first time in “Lions,” which is also significant for reuniting her and Robert since they did “Out of Africa,” the 1985 Oscar Best Picture Award winner.
This time though, Robert, while also appearing in the film, is not Meryl’s leading man. He is her director in “Lions,” which is the first movie to come out of United Artists since Tom Cruise and his producing partner, Paula Wagner, took over the studio last year.
Meryl, record holder for the most Academy Award nominations (14) and the most Golden Globe Awards in the film categories (six) plays a TV journalist who is about to be given a bombshell story by a charismatic senator and presidential hopeful (Tom) in Washington, DC.
In California, a professor (Robert) is trying to reach out to a disaffected student (Andrew Garfield). Out in Afghanistan, two students (Michael Peńa and Derek Luke) who heeded the prof’s call to do something important with their lives by enlisting in the military (not quite what the teacher had in mind) are going to be seriously impacted by the senator’s bold plan to head off the Taliban.
While actresses complain about ageism in Hollywood, Meryl seems to be busier than ever since her deliciously wicked turn in “The Devil Wears Prada.” She is also in “Rendition” with Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. Meryl’s upcoming films include adaptations of two stage hits: “Mamma Mia!,” where we had the pleasure of watching her sing when we visited the set in London; and “Doubt” (she’ll play Sister Aloysius).
This is your first time to work with Tom Cruise. What surprised you most about him?
Tom brought lots of energy, personal power, charm and focus… I remember what they told us at drama school—you can’t play a king. What makes you seem like a king onstage is that everybody else bows down when you come onstage. The atmosphere shifts when Tom enters the set. That really has to do with the way the crew regards him. People in the business regard him as a kind of money-making power. That is very eloquent to people in our industry. It makes them react in a different way than they do when, let’s say, Steve Buscemi walks into the set (laughter).
And how was it working with your old friend, Robert Redford, as a director?
With Bob, oh my God, it was really fun to work with him as a director because he understands what we’re going though as actors. He’s sympathetic. He’s not autocratic in any way. He’s collegial. It’s just really fun to see him because I haven’t seen him in years and years.
But didn’t you remain friends since doing “Out of Africa”?
Yes, we talk on the phone but I haven’t really seen him in a long time.
Mr. Redford said that initially, he thought this film would never get made. Now, it is made and is also carries the first release from the new United Artists.
Somebody has to go out on a limb and I think that UA has done that with a piece that’s contentious, controversial and a prod to the conscience. It’s a tough film to market and yet, thank God they made it. We can say, “Yeah, in 2007, we accurately reflected what was happening. It’s a marker of where we are right now.”
Since you play a probing TV journalist in the film, let’s imagine—if there is one question you could ask Mr. Bush, what would that be?
I would ask if it’s so hard to admit that you’ve made a mistake (on declaring a war on Iraq). It shouldn’t be that hard. If he doesn’t feel he has made a mistake, then there’s no question to be asked. But I would ask, “Why is it so difficult? Is he afraid to appear weak? Would a mistake or a misjudgment make him vulnerable to being perceived as weak around the world? What’s the problem with acknowledging mistakes?” I think we’d go a long way in the world if that were done. But that’s not really a question. That’s a statement, isn’t it?
You call yourself a “news junkie.” What do you watch?
I watch C-SPAN, MSNBC, Fox and everything until the top of my head blows off (laughter). We’re living in a time when it’s our responsibility to keep up with what’s going on. And yet sometimes, keeping up with all the things that are going on is a substitute for acting on what you know. We almost use all the information as a thing to substitute for actually doing something.
Can you comment on certain media organizations supportive of only one side?
There’s Fox News that’s an absolute advocate for one point of view without any worries about journalistic ethics and balance. They don’t have to think about that. They’re also in the business of entertainment. A big part of the business is to know who you’re selling to and what you’re selling. They seem to be selling largely erectile dysfunction products (laughter) but who knows. It’s individual decisions by individual journalists—whether they’re going to say to their boss, “I just don’t want to cover the Paris Hilton-Britney Spears-Lindsay Lohan (beat). I just don’t feel that it’s news. I just don’t want to do that.”
How do you manage to avoid the tabloids and the paparazzi?
I don’t know why they don’t follow me around (laughter). But I don’t really go to many places. If I go to the theater, awards ceremonies or something, people take pictures. But in my life, they don’t follow me around.
Why are you are working more these days than you have in your life?
I really can’t explain my employment schedule lately (laughter). I really don’t know why that’s happening but I am very happy. I do have more time than when everybody was little (her children with husband, sculptor Don Gummer). I just feel lucky. There are more stories about women. There are films with important, interesting and complex parts for women of my age that are green lit. It’s probably because there may be more women executives who are making those decisions or who are helping to make them.
What are your children up to?
My son (Henry) is a musician in Los Angeles. He’s working at a gallery to support himself (laughter). Mamie (real name is Mary Willa; Mamie Gummer is her stage name) was just in a play in Williamstown and I think she has another one soon. Grace is in college. My youngest (Louisa) is in high school. So they’re all busy with their lives.
Do you worry that Mamie is going to be judged and compared to you?
Mamie is so brave and foolhardy, too. She has always been like a wild little woman. I remember once we took her brother in to have his head sewn up because he cracked it open. She was jumping off the examining table and she cracked her head open (laughter). So the doctor sewed up two heads that day. Mamie is just ready to go. There’s nothing you could do to dissuade her. You need that bravado and joy in big measure and she has all those things. It’s a hard business but she’s taking whatever comes her way (laughter).
How familiar are you with the ABBA songs?
It has been 20 years since I listened to the songs. I realized that I knew every word of every ABBA song, but I had learned them slightly wrong so there was a little tension there with Benny (Andersson, co-founder of ABBA) because he’s quite a precise taskmaster. But my experience was really fabulous. Greece is beyond wonderful. The place where we filmed was fantastic.
