DOWNEY’S A DOLL: FARMIGA
Bates Motel star plays woman scorned in The Judge
At this point in her career, Vera Farmiga can be choosy instead of hoping to be chosen.
The 41- year- old has choices thanks to a supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air.
For instance, there is her portrayal of Samantha in The Judge. Sharing film moments with Robert Downey Jr. was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
In the movie, Downey Jr. plays Hank, a big- city lawyer who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral but ends up defending his judicial dad ( Robert Duvall) when he’s charged with murder.
Samantha is Hank’s first love, the woman he abandoned to seek his fame and fortune.
“Vera is the heart of the movie,” director David Dobkin says. “You believe she has the heartbreak inside yet the ability to grow beyond it.”
Farmiga, the mother of two young children, sat down with Postmedia News for an exclusive one- on- one interview to discuss The Judge, her career and adopting Vancouver as her home. Q : Did you enjoy emphasizing the positive things in Samantha? A : Forgiveness and reconciliation is such a beautiful thing to explore in her. And there is that hankering for a first love. Q : But she’s no pushover. True? A : She has this gravitas and it’s a real contradiction to how unsettled she is when her first love returns. Q : Are you as grounded as Samantha? A : I come from a big family and I was the glue. I am the one who checks in with the others. So I can relate to that kind of person. Q : Samantha gives as good as she gets in the snappy patter department. Correct? A : I thought it was important that she hold her own. Otherwise, why would the relationship still seem to connect? Robert’s Hank is cheeky, but so is Samantha. She is the yin to his yang. Q : Was it challenging acting opposite Downey Jr.? A : RDJ is like a rock star. He has a big persona but he brought it down a few levels for ( The Judge). Q
: Is he collaborative? A : That’s all he cared about on set. Doing the right thing for the scene was his main thing. Q : Is Downey Jr. as complex as he seems? A : He is so rich of character. He’s been to hell and back ( with previous substance abuse issues). And because he’s witnessed so much darkness and despair, he is now one of the most joyful people I’ve ever met. Q
: How intense is he? A : I think all actors are intense. Not all actors are humble, and he is. The best actors never lose that humility. Q : Are you excited about the third season of Bates Motel? A
: It’s been a gift. Q : Is it true you moved permanently to Vancouver where you shoot the series? A : I find it easier to stay in Vancouver with my kids. We still have a place in New York state, but we are anchored in Vancouver and we are smitten with the lifestyle. Q : Are you picky about what movie and TV projects you do? A : I have been very selective. I am in the throes of maturity with my toddlers, so I want to make sure I am around more. Q
: How’s that working? A : I am at a place in my career where I can be selective and I am very thankful for it.