Best Picture Power Rankings and a ‘Poor Things’ Deep Dive. Plus: Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes!
Jan 11, 2024
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Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes discuss 'May December', exploring its performances, satire reception, rendering the recent past, and more. The hosts also react to movie news and rankings, analyze Yorgos Lanthimos's 'Poor Things', and refresh their Best Picture power rankings.
'Poor Things' is a whimsical and audacious film that explores themes of identity, sexuality, and societal norms.
Emma Stone delivers a remarkable performance, capturing the innocence and curiosity of a child trapped in an adult's body.
The film offers a playful and surreal exploration of personal growth and the search for meaning.
The collaboration between Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes has fostered a deep trust and mutual respect.
The importance of actors and filmmakers working together, embodying characters, and creating authentic performances is emphasized.
Deep dives
Poor Things: A Whimsical Fairy Tale
Poor Things is a whimsical and audacious film that tells the story of Bella, a young woman whose brain is transplanted into the body of a child. Directed by Jorgos Lanthimos, the film explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the limitations of societal norms. Emma Stone delivers a remarkable performance, capturing the innocence and curiosity of a child trapped in an adult's body. With its stunning production design and clever humor, Poor Things offers a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Poor Things takes viewers on a journey of self-discovery as Bella navigates a world that is both strange and fascinating to her. From her sheltered upbringing in a mad scientist's home to her encounters with polite society and newfound desires, Bella's story is a playful and surreal exploration of personal growth and the search for meaning.
Whimsical Characters and Unusual Situations
The film features a colorful cast of characters, from Godwin, the eccentric scientist played by Willem Dafoe, to Martha, an old woman who challenges society's norms. As Bella encounters these characters and embarks on adventures, Poor Things delights in absurdity and offers a fresh and imaginative take on the traditional fairy tale genre.
Flawless Performances and Captivating Visuals
Emma Stone delivers a captivating performance, fully embracing the complexities and unique circumstances of her character. The film is visually stunning, with its detailed production design and inventive cinematography, creating a world that feels both familiar and yet whimsically distorted. Poor Things is a daring and inventive film that offers a fresh and thought-provoking take on the fairy tale genre.
May December: A Delightful Collaboration
Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes discuss their fifth collaboration and their first meeting during Moore's audition for 'Safe'. Moore expresses her admiration for the script and her determination to secure the role. The chemistry between Moore and Haynes is evident as they reflect on their longstanding collaboration and the unique qualities of their work together.
Reflecting on the First Meeting
Moore recalls feeling nervous during her audition for 'Safe' and commends Haynes for being professional. Haynes remembers Moore's determination to get the part and how she impressed him with her willingness to read scenes despite initial doubts from her agent. Despite minimal conversation in the audition room, both parties recognized the specialness of the project and the potential for collaboration.
The Impact of 'Safe' and the Beginning of a Collaborative Journey
Moore expresses her love for the script of 'Safe' and how it set the stage for their creative partnership. Haynes acknowledges the unique qualities of the film that attracted Moore and highlights their mutual appreciation for challenging and unconventional storytelling. The success of 'Safe' laid the foundation for their subsequent collaborations.
The Evolution of Their Working Relationship
Moore and Haynes discuss the growth and evolution of their working relationship over five collaborations. They appreciate each other's creativity, professionalism, and willingness to push boundaries. Their collaboration has fostered a deep trust and mutual respect that has allowed them to explore complex and compelling narratives together.
The power of shared experiences and creative collaboration
The podcast discusses the remarkable experiences and collaborative process behind the making of a film. The speaker emphasizes the importance of actors and filmmakers working together and sharing their insights and ideas. They highlight the significance of actors embodying characters and the importance of understanding the nuances of their roles. The conversation also touches on the role of research and preparation in creating authentic performances.
Exploring the nuances of tone and storytelling in film
The podcast explores the concept of tone in filmmaking and how it impacts the audience's interpretation of a movie. The speaker discusses how humor, tension, and curiosity can coexist within a film, creating a thought-provoking and engaging experience for viewers. They highlight the role of storytelling and moral questions in films, emphasizing the importance of leaving room for interpretation and audience engagement. The conversation also addresses the ethical considerations of portraying real people and the balance between artistic interpretation and journalistic accuracy.
Sean and Amanda react to a mixed bag of movie and awards nominations news (1:00), before digging into one of the year’s biggest movies not yet discussed on the show: Yorgos Lanthimos’s Emma Stone vehicle ‘Poor Things’ (15:00). They close by refreshing their Best Picture power rankings (:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes to discuss ‘May December’—the performances at the movie’s heart, the reception of its satire, rendering the recent past, and more (1:50:00).
