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'The Oscars is a nail-biting process for me'
The beautiful and multitalented Amy Adams has earned her third Oscar nomination, this time for The Fighter.
Vivacious, pretty and as eager to work on serious roles as happy ones, Adams is a lovely young actress clearly charting out quite an orbit for herself in Hollywood.
In an interview with Raja Sen conducted over email, Amy -- who has previously been nominated for films as diverse as Junebug and Doubt -- discussed Oscar nerves, playing a Disney princess, and her upcoming projects. Excerpts:
First of all, as a film critic significantly smitten and overwhelmed by your constantly evolving body of work, do please accept my congratulations and best wishes on your third highly-deserved Oscar nomination for your work in The Fighter.
Thank you so much sir.
This Best Supporting Actress thing is turning into quite a trend, huh? Is it always nail-biting going to the ceremony? Or are you less nervy this third time?
Oh well yes, it is always a nail biting process for me, however regular I am at the Oscars.
'My role in Fighter is a far cry from what I have played in the past'
Charlene Fleming from The Fighter is saucy, tough as nails and very dissimilar to anything you've played before. What facet of the character really appealed to you as an actress?
Yes, I think my role in Fighter is a far cry from what I have played in the past. I play this badass who has quite a mouth of her own.
What is David O Russell's process like, as a filmmaker? And personally what part of the filming was your biggest challenge?
I think he is extremely professional and yet an easy going director. He sent me a 20-pager script describing my character and I just couldn't say no to him. His study on Charlene was so deep, that I never felt the need to meet her in person to get into the skin of the character.
'As an actor, I like to do all kind of roles'
Your filmography balances solemn drama with roles dipped in absolute sunshine. Which of them comes more naturally to you?
I think its very necessary for an actor to look natural in whatever role he or she does. If I want to take an opportunity to call myself a good actor, then I'll say that all the roles I do, come quite naturally to me ;-).
Coming back to your Oscar nominations: Junebug, Doubt, The Fighter. Which of the three nominations were you most gratified by, and which of them do you think ranks as the most enduring piece of work? (I'd say the irresistible Junebug, but I'm asking you. Heh)
And I'd like to agree with you, Raja.
Despite being a frequent Oscar nominee and a highly regarded 'serious' actress, you end up doing a lot of lighter work, work that can unfairly be labelled as less substantial. That role on The Office (wow, by the way), Talladega Nights, Tenacious D... Where do all these madcap fun parts fit into your scheme of things?
As an actor, I like to do all kind of roles. I don't think any thing is more substantial or less substantial so every thing automatically fits in to my scheme of things.
'It was a great experience and very challenging to work in Enchanted'
I've always believed Giselle from Enchanted to be an extraordinarily demanding role, a part that required extreme character commitment and checking in all cynicism at the door, replacing it with unbridled enthusiasm. How hard was it to be a uniquely unanimated Disney princess?
It was a great experience and very challenging, as you said it was uniquely unanimated.
I'm insanely curious about two of your upcoming releases: The Muppets, with Jason Segel (how on earth is he planning to pull off that reboot?) and On The Road, with the fantastic Viggo Mortensen. Spill as much as you can without endangering yourself too much, do?
Well, The Muppets is a comedy film directed by James Bobin and I play Mary.
On The Road , directed by Walter Salles. It is a film adaptation of Jack Keuroac's novel and I play Jane in the film.
That's all I can spill right now ;-)
Finally, are you returning to Saturday Night Live anytime soon? You killed.
You gotta wait and watch.