The Interview: Ralph Fiennes
Ahead of the release of Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel tomorrow, we interviewed the film's leading man.
[R]alph Fiennes came to prominence on stage as a Shakespearean actor in the 80s, and since his screen debut in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, he has played a Nazi war criminal in Schindler’s List, made the nation weep in The English Patient and The Constant Gardener, and successfully terrified a generation of children as Lord Voldemort in all seven Harry Potter films, picking up a couple of Oscar nominations along the way. It’s indisputable that he is one of this country’s best actors – that’s as much a fact as the awards that sit on his mantelpiece.
This spring Ralph is starring in two films that may well boost his reputation even further: The Invisible Woman, which is also his second directorial effort, and Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, a rare foray into comedy for him, proving that there really is no genre beyond his masterly grasp.
YOU’RE IN A COMEDY THIS YEAR, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, BUT YOU’RE KNOWN FOR SERIOUS, INTENSE ROLES. DID YOU WANT A CHANGE?
I’m an actor and I’m always thrilled when someone challenges me with a great role. It’s unlike anything that I might have done, so when Wes asked me to be a part of it, I was overjoyed and thrilled to play the part.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO MORE COMEDY IN THE FUTURE?
I think, in the right hands, yes. Wes wrote this script himself, and he has a very strong sense of the tone. His comedic senses are very sophisticated and very clever. It’s totally unique to him, so I knew I was in good hands. The script was very funny on the page, which is always a good sign. It had me chuckling. I’m certainly not someone who can stand up and say, “I’m funny. I’ll make you laugh.” That’s not me, but I think if I’ve got the right words and situation, coupled with a good director, I can make it work.
SO WHAT DREW YOU TO THE PART OF M. GUSTAVE?
It was a combination of things: the way he’s precise and a perfectionist about his work, but I also like that there’s a contradiction to him. He’s quite fastidious. He’s so insistent on smelling good! He has quite superficial qualities, like when he loses his temper because the young Zero hasn’t brought him his perfume, but then he’s humbled into apologising when he realises that Zero has had a terrible life. I like the fact that in essence he’s a decent man, and the two elements eventually come together – the vain, perfectionist concierge who turns out to be brave and heroic.
WES ANDERSON IS KNOWN FOR USING THE SAME ACTORS IN HIS FILMS. WAS IT LIKE A REUNION ON SET?
I was new to the party, but I could definitely feel the ensemble energy from the Wes Anderson veterans. The atmosphere was wonderful. We were all staying in the same hotel and eating together in the evenings. There was a great sense of family, and I think that’s what Wes likes to create around him.
DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM HIM AS A DIRECTOR?
I will certainly attempt to emulate his thorough preparation, which is gobsmacking. I love that, as well as the fact that he’s prepared to change things while we’re shooting. He shoots very fast, so you get a lot of takes in and feel like you’ve squeezed all the juice out of the scene.
The Grand Budapest Hotel will be released nationwide by Fox Searchlight on March 7th.
For the rest of the interview and lots more buy Hunger Issue 6 here.