Matthew is young and athletic, but also a particular breed of person. When you consider how dangerous life was in general in those days, choosing a career in law enforcement was a seriously risky job, especially for a married man like Matthew who is father to two small children. Law enforcement wasn’t a remotely touchy-feely occupation; it was about seeing people hang (for crimes they might or might not have committed). Death and depravity was widespread and sending offenders off to the colonies was acceptable practice. The police force was new, and methods were rough and ready – a good beating was often meted out to wrongdoers. All of which means I see him as a scrapper, a guy who likes a good fight but equally has a burning zeal to do right. So I’m playing him as a mixture of an Edinburgh award winner and hood rapper.
While he’s naturally inquisitive and good at finding things out, in Sweeney’s case his instincts are all wrong. Matthew cannot help but befriend Sweeney after the barber saves his life, when he operates on the young law enforcer and removes a bullet from his shoulder. I think it’s a terrific section of the story and reminds us all how barbers often carried out surgical procedures - and without anaesthetic or antiseptic! It calls for great bravery on Matthew’s part and steadfast courage on Sweeney’s. It’s no wonder that Matthew is eternally grateful to his barber saviour – especially when you consider that stepping on a rusty nail could finish you off in those days! It’s understandable that after this life-saving episode, Matthew fails to recognise Sweeney as a killer.
- Tom Hardy on his character in Sweeney Todd. I love how he always, ALWAYS have so many thoughts, so many dimensions worked out on all his characters. (Pic is from my scanned photo!)
(Source: BBC)
