'The King's Speech' Star Guy Pearce Talks Colin Firth's Oscar Chances, Reflects on 'Memento'

 

I'll admit it. I thought about presenting my interview with Guy Pearce -- who plays King Edward VIII in Oscar hopeful 'The King's Speech' -- in reverse. A meta-tribute to the grandaddy of meta-narratives,

'Memento,' which just celebrated its 10th anniversary (hence, the new special-edition Blu-ray).

Pearce's breakout performance in 'L.A. Confidential' should have put him on the path to fabulous stardom. It did for his co-star and fellow Aussie Russell Crowe, who snatched A-List status. Why not Guy?

Cutting the sob story short, fast-forward to Pearce hooking up with young director Christopher Nolan, who would cast Pearce in the lead of the 2000 indie masterpiece 'Memento.' Sure, it wasn't 'Gladiator,' but hey, it wasn't 'Proof of Life,' either.

After the jump, Pearce indulges in some 'King's Speech' Oscar talk, his preternatural knack for spotting good scripts, and his costar Colin Firth's many recent award wins.

After helming 'Memento,' Nolan, of course, went onto bigger things: 'Batman Begins,' 'The Dark Knight,' and this year's Oscar-nominated 'Inception.' Pearce also went onto bigger things. Unfortunately, those bigger things were 2002's big-budget disappointment 'The Count of Monte Cristo' and the misguided remake of H.G. Wells's 'The Time Machine.' Then came less big things. Then came a mini nervous breakdown in his 30s.

After that low point, something changed in Guy: He began embracing the small things. The small roles. And with each consecutive supporting effort, year after year, part after part, he built a reputation as that rare actor who can disappear into any character -- from his uncanny portrayal of Andy Warhol in 'Factory Girl' to his ill-fated bomb technician in last year's Oscar winner 'The Hurt Locker.' Pearce finds himself delivering yet another small, vital gem in yet another Oscar front-runner this year, 'The King's Speech.' Things could be worse, right?

So are you going to the Academy Awards?

I'm unfortunately not going to be there this year. I'm still in Australia, a little on the outer. I was joking to my wife, "But if 'The King's Speech' wins, I'll miss this once in a lifetime chance to stand on the stage with the winning Best Film." Of course, I was on the stage last year when 'The Hurt Locker' won.

The cast and crew of 'The King's Speech' must be excited for tonight.

Yes. Absolutely. It would be great if we nabbed a couple. I think it's got a pretty good chance [to win Best Picture] and Colin has a good chance, obviously, for Best Actor.

Will you call him if he wins?

Well, I've been e-mailing him every time he wins an award, so I'm racking up a collection of correspondences with Colin. I'm having to find different and unusual ways of saying congratulations.

You should tell him, "Next time don't act quite so well, huh? It's giving me carpal tunnel."

Exactly. Throw some of that talent my way. That would be nice.

It's only fair that Colin be the one sending you a congratulatory e-mail the next go-around.

[Laughs] That's right. I presented him with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame a few weeks ago and he said the same thing -- "Well, hopefully, I'll be doing this for you one day."

My guess is your time will come.

By that point -- I don't know how far Hollywood Boulevard goes -- but it may be way out in LA somewhere.

What was it like acting opposite Colin in 'The King's Speech'?

When actors feel safe with each other they can relax and do what they do. They're not trying to stand their own ground. You often hear so-and-so is "a very giving actor." Colin makes you feel that from the moment you meet him. I think it comes from a confidence in what he does. He's incredibly bright, but not intimidating at all.

Which member of the crew did you bond with most?

I think Colin. Our director Tom Hooper is a great guy, as well. But I just adore Colin. It's like I have my own personal comedian. He's funny. He's genuine. He's adorable. He's charming. Just a lovely, lovely guy to be around.

Sounds like quite the bromance. Where would you guys go to hang out –- the pub?

He was so busy working. So we we were just hanging out together on set. We also had rehearsals before we shot the film. But we didn't really socialize outside of that. And I don't socialize when I'm shooting. I'm not overly interested in it. I'll end up drinking too much and feeling terrible. I'm better off not doing it.

You also played opposite Best Supporting Actress nominee Jackie Weaver in the gritty Aussie thriller 'Animal Kingdom.' Do you mind being the Oscar assist man?

I've certainly made jokes about being in 'The Hurt Locker' last year and 'The King's Speech' this year, and I think between the two I rack up a total of five minutes on screen.

Are you always sure about a script before you take on a project?

You can have questions about a script. I've gone into shoots questioning it more than I have others. With 'Memento,' for example, I didn't question it at all. I knew it was brilliant and I wanted to be part of it. When I did 'The Time Machine,' for example, I thought the idea was good. It was a new way to tell that story. But I don't think it was actually fleshed out enough.

Has your perspective on 'Memento' changed since you starred in it a decade ago?

I don't know that it has. The fact people still respond to it the same way they did 10 years ago is a testament to how good it is and how good Chris [Nolan] is as a director and a writer. I guess it's great to know you're part of a classic in a way, you know?

How the heck did 'Gosford Park' win over 'Memento' for Best Original Screenplay in 2001?

Um. Yeah. I don't know the answer to that. I'm as stumped as you are on that one.

Who wrote 'Gosford Park'?

Julian Fellowes.

Oh, right.

I mean, it's a great script. But 'Memento' was unlike anything that came before it.

Yes. And I can't answer the question why 'Titanic' beat 'L.A. Confidential' at the 1997 Academy Awards. I don't understand that. So I've given up trying to understand.

'Memento' didn't win for screenplay but two other films you were in -- 'L.A. Confidential' and 'The Hurt Locker' –- did take home the prize for best script. 'The King's Speech' could make it number three. I'd imagine every actor would like to have such a keen eye.

I guess it's just like reading a book. You read a book and you either like it or you don't. It either absorbs you or not. Either you believe it or you don't. Either you feel moved by it or you don't.

All I can do is go with my heart, I suppose. That seed of excitement when I read something and I respond well to it, that will stay with me the whole shoot. Where as if I'm 50 percent there, then 50 percent into the shoot, I'll run out of steam. I'll go, "Aw, f**k. I knew this was going to happen."

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