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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Exclusive interviews about “Get Low” with Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek & Bill Murray
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOTO CREDIT: Sam Emerson
For the past month, three well respected veteran actors have been shooting a very modest independent film called “Get Low” here in metro Atlanta — Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray.
I snagged exclusive interviews with each of the actors, the first time the trio have talked about the film and their time here in the area. The publicist rented out a room on Saturday at a local hotel and the three came by, 15 minutes at a time. The goal was to help promote the film and encourage folks to show up Wednesday as extras at Pickett’s Mill Historic Site in Dallas. More details at www.getlowextras.com
First up: Robert Duvall, whose beard was trimmed from ZZTop stylings in the photo above to something more manageable, was in good spirits, and happy to gab about local restaurants as much as the movie. He’s sampled Kyma, the Buckhead Diner and the Vortex (“Good burgers. Not the best.”).
Q: How are you enjoying Atlanta so far?
A: It’s like a boxed in version of Dallas. You gotta know where to go.
Q: Where have you eaten?
A: We had a pretty good meal at Bones. I tried out the Ghetto Burger at Ann’s (Snack Bar). It’s good. We had to wait but I was impressed. I also tried this Pig in a Pit place, 70 miles from here. Very good ribs.
Q: What drew you to this project?
A: It’s as good a script I’ve ever dealt with. Charlie Mitchell was brought in and turned it around. Technically, he was right on the nose. I usually hate rewriters. I resent them. But he came in and enriched it. And it’s as good a cast as “The Godfather.”
Q: What’s the story about?
A: It’s a story about a guy based on fact but fictionalized since. He goes to his own funeral to see what people say. He confesses a secret he had for 40 years. When he really does die, he can die in peace… He lives alone with his mule. It’s a champion mule 20 miles from my farm in Virginia. Amazing Gracey. He’s a trick mule. They needed a mule that reared for the movie. They could have used her more.
Q: You and Sissy Spacek have both won Oscars playing country singers. Have you ever talked about that?
A: No. She lives about 50 miles from me. I’ve known her in passing. She’s very nice to work with.
Q: Have you worked with Bill Murray before?
A: I don’t even know him. He’s probably the only legitimate actor to come out of “Saturday Night Live.” He’s the best of the lot I’ve seen. I remember him from “Stripes,” “Caddyshack.” A clever guy. A very good actor, excellent actor.
Q: What sort of Southern ties do you have? You grew up in Maryland, right?
A: Virginia, Maryland. I’m on the border. My mother’s people were from Milledgeville, Georgia. Years and years ago, a great uncle moved to Texas. My dad’s people are from Virginia. This project, I just talk like my uncles.
Then came in Sissy Spacek, who was sweet and thoughtful.
Q: I heard you joined this project pretty late.
A: No. I met them years ago. They were just being respectful. [Director] Aaron [Schneider]. [Producer] Dean [Zanuck]. They’ve been so devoted to this. It’s a struggle to get money for a movie like this. It’s a beautiful script. It’s an odd story. It’s a story I had no idea what was going to happen next. That’s so rare. Usually, films are formula. This is not. This is just out there in a wonderful way. It’s about relationships and people. It was inspired by a true story. I loved that Aaron and Dean stayed with this so long. They never ran out of steam. I joked that I’m finally old enough to play the part!
Q: Can you tell me a bit of your role?
A: [Robert Duvall’s character] Felix and I knew each other when we we were really young. We went our separate ways. He has a secret. My character has always carried a torch for him. My character is the emotional center of the film.
Q: This is truly an independent film based on the budget, eh?
A: Everybody really wants to be here. This is a real labor of love. Robert has really carried the torch on this one. He’s the reason this film got made. I was so excited to work with him.
Q: How’s it been like working with Bill Murray?
A: He’s just heavenly! He brings an incredible talent. I cannot even describe him. What he brings to the script we needed.
Q: So what should extras expect Wednesday?
A: We need Georgians. We need the people of Atlanta to come and spend time with us. I can promise them an interesting time. They’re going to be there with us. I’m going to be an audience member like the others. Anyone who wants to come glimpse filmmaking from the inside should come out… I do suggest people bring a lawn chair, some jackets, comfortable shoes.
Q: Would you ever do a funeral for yourself while alive?
A: Never! It’s macabre. Maybe to be a fly in the wall. Maybe we can find out on the other side.
Q: What have you done here in Atlanta?
A: I rented a car, have a GPS. I found the Whole Foods. I found all my favorite places. I’ve been to some malls. I’ll try to get to the aquarium before I go.
And in a bit of a surprise, Bill Murray strolled in. He was in a good mood, munching on some snack mix and being mildly snarky at times.
Q: You’re a tough man to reach. How did this land in your lap?
A: I got this thing worked out where I get a page synopsis of what it is. This sounds interesting. Send me the script. I had a conversation with Dean Zanuck. He’s a third-generation movie guy, a really good guy. We had a pretty good conversation. Nuts. I like this guy. I may have to do this. Then I got the script. The script was great. It was amazing. Oh, crap. Now I may really have to do this. They sent me this movie Aaron Schneider made. Two Soldiers. It won an Oscar for shorts… it was a 40-minute film. It was really good. Nuts. I kept trying to get out of making the movie. I was waiting for someone to be a jerk. But I couldn’t come up with a reason not to do it.
Q: Did you know Sissy before this?
A: I knew her from SNL. I bumped into her at a concert not long ago. I hadn’t seen her for a long time.
Q: How about Duvall?
A: Robert? I don’t know Robert from Adam. I’ve seen him. You know him. He’s in heavy rotation on AMC. I didn’t know Lucas [Black, another actor in the film.]. Real fun kid. Good golfer. We had a couple days off, played Reynolds Plantation and East Lake.
Q: East Lake? I live really close by.
A: It’s beautiful. Just played yesterday. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play it. It was great. It was so much fun. Played the 18th from the back tee. What a hard hole!
Q: Tell me what it’s going to be like for the extras on Wednesday.
A: We’ll be shooting fast and furious. We’ll be making a lot of movie in a short time. A lot of characters will be running around. This is the climax of the film. All sorts of stuff is happening… We’ll feed the extras and keep them safe. There will be a band. I’ve got this boom-box I bring to the set. They’re too serious, these movie guys. It’s amazing how the music playing makes people feel it’s a civilized venture.
Q: What sort of music do you play?
A: You’ve got to find music that’s acceptable to the crew. I like hip hop but not everyone likes that. I like classical. Everyone will take classical to some degree. I’ve played some Horowitz piano pieces on the set… we play this Robert Johnson. It’s of the period. Everyone likes Robert Johnson. We got some tango music. Robert is a big tango nut. He’s begun giving tango lessons out there. Bob will tango on demand.
Q: Tell us about your character in the movie?
A: Frank Quinn is the funeral director. This guy has been looking for a big payday. He figured funeral work couldn’t fail. He’s desperate. It’s written all over his face — sort of like mine! This [fake funeral] has got to go. He’s extended himself. He’s borrowed against this big event. It’s his cash cow. Duvall’s character is always upsetting the apple cart. He’s playing you all the time. He didn’t get old by being stupid. He’s old and he’s working people. Everyone is getting worked. He’s an irascible older senior.
Q: You won’t be like that, will you?
A: I’ll be a bad one. I’ve seen enough of them. I hope I won’t. As long as your body holds up, you’ll be okay… I try to keep my body in decent enough shape. I was dancing last night. Great Latin band…
He also made a crack about the weather, which has been poor during shooting days here. “Who says anything about the sunny South? It’s about as big a lie as April in Paris!”
Before walking out of the room, he gave some facetious advice to the extras: “Bring some good jokes!”
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Jonas Brothers give fans an Atlanta surprise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mega pop stars The Jonas Brothers surprised hundreds of screaming fans at an Atlanta area movie theater Saturday evening.
The Disney stars are spending the weekend swooping into theaters in several cities for the opening of their new movie, “The Jonas Brothers: 3D Experience.” Locally, that theater was The Regal Hollywood 24 in Chamblee, where the Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas quietly made their way through the back for a secret press conference in an adjoining theater about 6 p.m.
As moviegoers (mostly teens, youngsters and parents) lined up to enter the theater next door, many didn’t appear to suspect that anything special was brewing behind the scenes. Even as they made their way into the theater, only a few seemed to take note of the reporters and TV crews.
The trio, known for making surprise appearances, called their cross-country visits a “surprise theater invasion.”
“This idea came to mind and we thought about it,” Nick Jonas told reporters moments before the group entered the theater. “We could drop in on select cities and surprise fans, even if it’s an acoustic song or just a hello.”
And hello seemed to be more than okay for about 300 Atlanta fans who went crazy, screaming and jumping up and down (a few even cried), when the stars popped in from a back door near the stage. The brothers stayed for less than two minutes, basically just saying hi and thanking everyone for coming. There were more fans to visit on the 6,000 mile weekend invasion.
The brothers began their Saturday with a 10 a.m. visit to a theater in White Plains, N.Y. Traveling by private jet, courtesy of Marquis Jets, the teen heart throbs then made their way to Charlotte, before stopping in Atlanta. They also hit Regal Medlock in Duluth for a private screening and performed two songs - “SOS” and “Burning Up” at the theater. They ended the day at the Main Event in Grapvine, Texas, near Dallas, which they now call home. More surprise visits are set for Sunday.
But even after the Jonases were long gone from Atlanta, screams could be heard throughout the concert movie, which lasted an hour and 16 minutes. At times, several teenagers and tweens stood up from the seats, dancing and singing along to the movie. It was a “concert,” too, after all.
