A new interview with Tom Hardy about Lawless! Being humble as usual…
Topman GENERATION: What was it like working with Guy Pearce on the film?
Tom Hardy: There’s mutual respect. We’ve been doing this for a while and acting is something that grows with the practice, like anything else. So there’s mutual respect if you know someone has been practising for a while. And in this case, working with Guy, I was in for a good ride.Do you have a favourite moment you shared with Guy in the movie?
Guy and I just chilled. We sat in the make-up trailer and talked crap!What kind of preparation did you have to do for your accents in Lawless?
I listened. I’ve got to say that sometimes an accent doesn’t have to be specific to land; it can be in a territory where it feels familiar. So, sometimes an actor may be credible and not absolutely accurate but still be truthful. I can’t tell you whether my accent in Lawless is genuine or authentic and nor do I really give a damn.What was the most important thing you wanted to convey in your performance?
What I care about is the character – whether you identify him, whether you like him and whether he can get away with doing some heinous stuff and you can still feel for him. Would you want to sit in a room with a man like knowing he has cut a man’s testicles off? Everybody should be taking care of their role, that’s why this film is so exciting – to be part of an ensemble like that.
Do you think that having a largely international cast and crew influenced the tone of the picture?
We’re just acting and telling a story and it’s meant to be fun, but it’s not easy to make a film. I think the international cast and crew does influence it because there’s a perspective that comes with that. But I think we all wanted the same thing – to do good work and make the film as successful as possible.What moments in the making of the film are you particularly proud of?
My proudest moment was when we got to Cannes, to be honest. The camera was panning along all of our faces and I remember thinking I’d just try to avoid it. I thought, ‘Well, I’m just going to be pragmatic. This is all far too overwhelming. I’ll just pretend to be security and get people to their cars…’ Then when I saw the camera get to John’s face and I saw him well-up, I saw the relief and the release of something in my friend and I realised how big a moment that actually was for him, and for me.I allowed myself some pride and then I quickly put it away because I’ve got a feeling that God will go: ‘That’s mine! You’re the wrong Tom Hardy!’ And despatch me into the blackness!
(Source: magazine.topman.com)
