FILMSPECIAL
HEY BABY
Victoria Hammett talks to Maggie Gyllenhaal about fame, families and why she enjoys playing apparently hopeless characters
rom her sexy masochist in cult film
.S'ct'rcmry to her trailer trash ex-jtinkie in
upcoming jailbird social drama .S'lierijv/mhy. Maggie (iyllenhaal is no stranger to challenging roles. With two Golden Globe nominations already firmly in the bag. her profile looks set to go stratospheric next year when she steps into the mainstream alongside (‘hristian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s second Batman offering The Dark Knight.
As she sits reflecting on her fame. just blocks away from the downtown New York apartment she shares with her partner. fellow actor Peter Saarsgard. (iyllenhaal seems determined not to be swept tip by the hype. 'l‘ve had tips and downs and made some career choices.‘ she reflects. 'I‘ve enjoyed some more than others btit I figure all you can do is get into it and emerge the other side.‘
In .S'lir'rryhuliv. she plays Sherry Swanson. who returns home to New Jersey after serving a three-year prison sentence. eager to re—cstablish a relationship with her young daughter. (iyllenhaal says: 'l want to make movies that I want people to see. I want to affect people. If I'm going to get involved in a movie that‘s going to have a hard road to the movie theatre [like .S'hr'rryhuhy] then I have to really believe in it.‘
With her 3()th birthday jtist around the corner. she admits she craves a more hands-on approach. as a producer. ‘l‘ni already [playing] an active part in getting the films I do financed. Before too long I would like to take that to the next step and get involved in distribution.‘
18 THE LIST 19 Jill“? Aug 2007
‘THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE WAITING FOR YOU WITH A CAMERA'
(iyllenhaal. who has modelled for Reebok and Prada. is from a distinguished media family. Her father Stephen (iyllenhaal is a TV director. mother Naomi Potter is a screenwriter and brother .lake is a talented actor.
ller breakthrough came in 2002 in cult hit .S'r'r‘rr’tmjv. liven her more mainstream smaller performances in Arlupiuiimz. Mona Lisa Smile and Donnie Dar/m have boasted an attention to detail that only a natural character actress could maintain. Being true to such personalities is central to her work. she maintains. She says: 'l don't think you can play someone who is less emotionally capable or not as smart as you.‘
As she readies herself to take her nine-month-old daughter. Ramona. out to lunch. she reflects on the price of fame: ‘There will always be someone with a camera waiting for you to do or say something. All you can do in life and on film is be true to yotirsell‘.‘
While she ponders the next step. she has plenty to keep her busy. with the imminent l,'K release of .S'hr'i‘rvhuhy and short film High Fri/ls doing the festival rounds. And let’s not forget next year‘s much anticipated The Dark Knight. ‘Yeah.' she says. ‘Yoti know it‘s a pretty great day at work when (‘liristopher Nolan is shouting "Action!" and (‘liristian Bale is your love interest. I can't complain.‘
Sherrybaby is on general release from Fri 27 Jul. The Dark Knight is on general release from Jul 2008
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RiflTATDUlLLE
Disney and Pixar unite again to bring us the tale of a gastronomically-interested rat living under a very swanky restaurant in Paris. The rat's desire for culinary satisfaction forces him into hit-and- run raids on the eaterie upstairs. but then he joins forces With the flailing new y0ung chef at the establishment and turns his hand to the creation of edible masterpieces. All good. well-animated. well-scripted fun with Peter O'Toole and Brian Dennehy providing the voices.
ETA 5 October
riftlilll (TAN GANGSTER
Ridley Scott turns his singular vision to the stOry of a legendary drug lord smuggling heroin into New York in the 1970s. His importing methods are somewhat unconventional: he hides the stash inside the coffins of American soldiers being returned from Vietnam. Denzel Washington plays drug smuggler Frank Lucas. and Russell Crowe stars as the policeman pursoing him. The period is evoked wonderfully by Scott. and the story is all the more gripping because it is based on a true StOry.
ETA 16 November
imam: LANE
Although the film based on Monica Ali's novel is not due oot until later in the year. it is already causing controversy for revivrng what some have argued are unhelpful stereotypes of Bangladeshis living in London's East End. Despite ongoing protests against the content of Ali‘s book, and now the film, reports suggest that the big-screen version wrll nonetheless present a vibrant and vital slice of life in one East End community.
ETA 23 November
THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon. John Hurt. Daniel Craig and Ian McShane star in the film adaptation of the first novel in the His Dark Materials series. with Lyra Belacoua (Dakota Blue Richards) journeying through the far North to emancipate her best friend and others from a mysterious organisation set on carrying out experiments on them. As yoo might imagine. many remarkable events then ensue.
ETA 7 December