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Stars Jackman and Hathaway in harmony over roles
By Jake Coyle |
December 30, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
They've both played superheroes. They've both hosted the Oscars. But what unites "Les Miserables" co-stars Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway most is a deep, some might even say geeky love of musical theater.
Yes, Catwoman and Wolverine can sing. In Tom Hooper's new film of the famed musical, Jackman, as Jean Valjean, and Hathaway, as the unfortunate Fantine, are finally exercising their musical chops on the big screen.
Jackman has made a home on Broadway and won Tony awards, while Hathaway's theater experience is more limited. Both dove into "Les Miserables" with zeal, considering it a chance of a lifetime.
Both actors shed considerable weight for their roles (it's a gaunter, more hardened Jackman than moviegoers are used to) and Hathaway also had her hair trimmed in an on-camera buzz cut.
Released on Christmas Day, Hooper's naturalistic adaptation has already made "Les Miserables" an expected hit, with Oscar nominations, including Jackman as best actor and Hathaway for best supporting actress, anticipated. Both have received Golden Globe nominations.
Hathaway and Jackman recently sat down to reflect on their similarities and "manning-up" in musical theater.
Q: Do you feel at all simpatico?
Jackman: I've always felt simpatico with Anne ever since we met. When we first started to really work together on the Oscars thing, I instantly loved her. I've been hounding Annie to do any number of films.
Hathaway: It's hard when someone you admire so much says nice things about you. Hugh's always been this beacon of light out there, someone who could do theater and film.
Q: What struck me is that in "Les Miserables," from your point of view, you're belting out songs with a live pianist accompanying you through earpieces. But the set is totally quiet. No one else can hear the music.
Jackman: It was a weird set to go on. It was a bunch of crazy people in the rain singing. The good thing was they couldn't tell if you were hitting the wrong key because they couldn't hear the accompaniment.
Q: Few films have recorded singing live like this. How does that affect your acting?
Jackman: The way I do it is I take the lyrics off the music sheet and I write them out as dialogue, as you would break down any script.
Q: For you, Anne, what was the day you performed "I Dreamed a Dream" in a single take like?
Hathaway: I couldn't stop thinking about how if I messed it up how exposed I would feel. So I did the first take and I was so angry with myself because it wasn't good enough. (After three takes) I closed my eyes and I remember thinking, "Hathaway, if you do not do this in this moment, you have no right to call yourself an actor. Put aside all that bulls - and just do your job." I opened my eyes and I'm like "Let's go." And I did it. That was the one that I let rip and that was the one that was in the piece.
Q: With predictions for you both (in the awards season) what's your attitude going into that process?
Hathaway: I am so happy being here today, talking with you about this extraordinary film that I have a small part in. To want or expect more just feels a bit greedy.
Jackman: Being a lover of musical theater, the thought that maybe there is some recognition for the film and therefore the genre - that's exciting.
Yes, Catwoman and Wolverine can sing. In Tom Hooper's new film of the famed musical, Jackman, as Jean Valjean, and Hathaway, as the unfortunate Fantine, are finally exercising their musical chops on the big screen.
Jackman has made a home on Broadway and won Tony awards, while Hathaway's theater experience is more limited. Both dove into "Les Miserables" with zeal, considering it a chance of a lifetime.
Both actors shed considerable weight for their roles (it's a gaunter, more hardened Jackman than moviegoers are used to) and Hathaway also had her hair trimmed in an on-camera buzz cut.
Released on Christmas Day, Hooper's naturalistic adaptation has already made "Les Miserables" an expected hit, with Oscar nominations, including Jackman as best actor and Hathaway for best supporting actress, anticipated. Both have received Golden Globe nominations.
Hathaway and Jackman recently sat down to reflect on their similarities and "manning-up" in musical theater.
Q: Do you feel at all simpatico?
Jackman: I've always felt simpatico with Anne ever since we met. When we first started to really work together on the Oscars thing, I instantly loved her. I've been hounding Annie to do any number of films.
Hathaway: It's hard when someone you admire so much says nice things about you. Hugh's always been this beacon of light out there, someone who could do theater and film.
Q: What struck me is that in "Les Miserables," from your point of view, you're belting out songs with a live pianist accompanying you through earpieces. But the set is totally quiet. No one else can hear the music.
Jackman: It was a weird set to go on. It was a bunch of crazy people in the rain singing. The good thing was they couldn't tell if you were hitting the wrong key because they couldn't hear the accompaniment.
Q: Few films have recorded singing live like this. How does that affect your acting?
Jackman: The way I do it is I take the lyrics off the music sheet and I write them out as dialogue, as you would break down any script.
Q: For you, Anne, what was the day you performed "I Dreamed a Dream" in a single take like?
Hathaway: I couldn't stop thinking about how if I messed it up how exposed I would feel. So I did the first take and I was so angry with myself because it wasn't good enough. (After three takes) I closed my eyes and I remember thinking, "Hathaway, if you do not do this in this moment, you have no right to call yourself an actor. Put aside all that bulls - and just do your job." I opened my eyes and I'm like "Let's go." And I did it. That was the one that I let rip and that was the one that was in the piece.
Q: With predictions for you both (in the awards season) what's your attitude going into that process?
Hathaway: I am so happy being here today, talking with you about this extraordinary film that I have a small part in. To want or expect more just feels a bit greedy.
Jackman: Being a lover of musical theater, the thought that maybe there is some recognition for the film and therefore the genre - that's exciting.
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