‘l NEEDED TO MAKE SURE I COULD ATTACK ROBERT REDFORD'
The Sundaned
Miles Fielder meets the newest kid on the Hollywood block, Andrew Garfield, and finds out how he went from Croydon to being in a room alone with Robert Redford
nless you happened to catch fresh-faced actor
Andrew (iar'field on the London and
Manchester stages 7 where in the last three ."ears he's won various newcomer awards for well- received performances in plays by linda Walsh and Mark Ravenhill chances are you won't have heard of the 24-year-old north London resident. Until now, (iarfield's most significant screen appearance has been a supporting role battling Daleks in Dr Who.
His big screen debtrt. however. will change all that. The actor scooped an enviable starring role in Linus liir Lam/is. a high profile political drama that engages critically with issues surrounding America‘s war on terror. It‘s the first project produced by Toni (‘ruisc under the newly revived l’nitcd Artists banner. (‘ruise also appears alongside Meryl Streep in the film. which is directed by and co-stars screen legend Robert Redford. with whom (iarfield shares virtually all of his scenes.
‘I have no idea why I was cast.' says (iarfield with charming incredulity. ‘But I really worked hard for the audition. and I think it makes a difference that I‘ve had the American accent in my ear my whole life.'
Redford has said he had no idea (iartield was from the FR until they had an informal chat after the actor‘s audition for the role of Todd. a privileged and politically disengaged American college kid who goes head-to-head with Redford's idealistic professor in the film. (iarfield was actually born in l-os Angeles. but was brought to Surrey as a toddler by his American father and British mother. Making [.iuns‘jin' Lambs. (iarfield says. was his first time back in America.
‘Acting came from me being depressed.‘ says (iarfield. ‘l was a gymnast and swimmer until 13. Then I gave sports tip and started naval ga/ing. I needed something to keep rue afloat. so my parents suggested acting classes. I took them and a very encouraging teacher suggested I could make a career out of it. As soon as that happened. I felt some kind of purpose. The difference between Todd and rue is as soon as someone said I had potential for something I grabbed hold of it. Todd just wants to have fun.‘
(iarfield made the most of his big break. holding his own opposite the blonde screen legend. ‘l was very scared.~ he admits. ‘But as soon as I met Bob. he made me feel at home. He's very gentle and encouraging. In terms of our characters‘ relationship. I needed to make sure I wasn‘t intimidated by him. so that I could attack him and play the arrogant little prick.‘
liar from arrogant. (iarficld‘s nervous about the future. 'llaving worked with these enormously talented people. I feel I've now got to make good choices. lt's opened some doors. but it‘s much more difficult to accept a job jtrst for the sake of it. That‘s a luxury. but also a curse.‘ With a leading role in the British crime drama Buy A with Peter .\1ul|an. and a part in Terry (iilliam‘s The Imugrmu'rum of Dr Parnassus. the lad who once called (‘roydon home seems to be doing just fine so far.
Lions For Lambs, general release from Fri 9 Nov. See Also Released, page 42. Win free tickets to see the film, see page 6.
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THE BEST FILM & DVD RELEASES
:2: Lions For Lambs When idealistic professor Dr Mallev (Robert Redford) inspires; two of his; students to ]()lll the war in Afghanistan, he is; unaware that. in Washington l)(;, presidential hopeful Senator .lasper llVllit} llorn ()rtiisel if; about to dive a bombshell story to a [)f()l)|llfl lV iournalrst llvferyl Streepl that may affect his; students' fates. See interwew. left and Also Released. page 4?. General IO/Ot'me from / r/ .‘i Nov.
=E< Into The Wild Sean Penn's fourth feature tells the remarkable true story of rich boy student and athlete Christopher McCandIess who gave up his inheritance and started hitchhiking to Alaska to live in the wilderness. See review. page 41. General release from Fri 9 Nov.
>‘s The Band’s Visit Funny French/Israeli version of Brassed Off. See review, page 40. Selected release from Fri 9 Nov.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Shekhar Kapur's historically inaccurate but entertaining follow-up to Elizabeth. See review. page 40. General release from Fri 2 Nov. >2< Africa in Motion Last four days of this great film festival. www.africa-in-motion.org.uk Fi/mhouse, Edinburgh, until Sun 4 Nov.
>t< Princess Bonkers animated porn fairytale gets a very brief outing. See review, page 40. OFF, Glasgow, Mon 72—Wed 74 Nov.
=i= Fassbinder box sets New collections of films by the great German auteur. See DVD Roundup. page 43. Out Mon 5 Nov (Arrow, Artificial Eye)
‘—"3 t.’,. 27.7 THE LIST 39