The "Awards Season" approaches and that means stand-out films and performances. One project that's been in development for quite some time is that of Bennett Miller's FOXCATCHER. Having previously worked on MONEYBALL and CAPOTE, Miller is no stranger to pushing his actors to deliver a true performance. While Steve Carrell is normally relegated to the comic relief, Miller recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter in regards to how he prepared the actor to find something dark within himself.
What director Bennett Miller told Steve Carrell to prepare him for the role:
Write the worst thing about yourself — the thing you wouldn't tell anyone, not even your wife — on a piece of paper, and put it in the pocket of your sweatpants. Just have it right there, and know that it's in a place where, if I was a dick, I could just grab it.
A part of me really respects the lengths some directors go to in order to get a performance out of their actors. Then again, the other part of me thinks, "Just let them act! It's their job!" I suppose it doesn't matter as long as the end result is solid. I love seeing Carrell handle some more serious fare (such as SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD) but for whatever reason, I can't really buy what Miller's selling here.
FOXCATCHER, starring Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo, will hit theaters on November 14, 2014.