E! Channel Interview

March 1997

Transcribed by Ann K.

E!: This is the first movie, I believe where you're playing a real romantic lead.
RF: (smiling) I guess.

E!: What are the ramifications that come with that?
RF: (Laughing) I don't know. You tell me.

E!: (also laughing) I don't know. I won't even go there.
RF: Um. (short pause) People said to me it was a very romantic lead. What I liked about the part--that is, Almasy is a falliable--something that's (pause, gesturing, searching for words) a bit held back and private. He's grown in a way when he's a patient, when he's burnt and he's lost everything and he's dying. In a way, he's a fuller human being. But all those things are wonderful to try and fit it into the film.

E!: When I talk to female colleagues of mine, they are particularly... They are, I think, more in touch with this film than perhaps men are.
RF: Yes (smiles)

E!: Something about the romantic nature of the story.
RF: Yes, I think so. I think... (grins) Well, romantic to me is a funny word. It means being in love, I suppose. Does it? (mock confusion) Lovers...being a lover in a film. [E! guy nods] Yes, well that's a big part of life I guess. (smiles, then shrugs sheepishly) For some people. (laughs)

E!: For some.

[Clip of TEP: Almasy and Katherine in the Cave of Swimmers]

E!: In America, there seems to be a great fascination with awards and bestowing honors on people.
RF: Mmmhmm

E!: How are you taking that?
RF: Well, it's great. Everyone has put a lot of work into making a film and it gets...it gets a response that might involve awards. It makes other people who might not have seen the film perhaps go and see it so I think it opens up the audience even further. So that's good. And I also think to be acknowledged for any piece of work you do is rather fine. So, it's great.

E!: But then there's the also the necessary evil, I suppose, of adulation... popularity...
RF: Yeah.

E!: Sitting down with the press. [RF laughs] How do you bring it to--
RF: (cuts in, serious) Yeah, it's hard, it's hard. I haven't found it easy. I don't mind talking about the work or the experiences of the work. I think most actors--well, anyone, singers, musicians, anyone who the public gets interested in--they hit the area where they want to be interested beyond the work: into the person, who they are, their private life. I think that's the area I find I have a problem with and guard against that.

E!: Do you ever pause and reflect on the success you've achieved? The noteriety you've achieved?
RF: I think it felt very mad after Schindler's List and Quiz Show. Then the pace seemed a bit crazy. I think now I've learned to find (gesturing with hands, searching for words) uh, a sort of calmness inside, if you like, that just, you know, that can handle all the necessary ups and downs of doing the job.

[Clip from TEP: Almasy drunk at the dinner party. ]

E!: Generally speaking, the attitude here is that the Brits are better actors.
RF: (smiles, amused) No. I think that's... I have no time for that sort of comment. A good actor is a good actor whatever his nationality. Good acting, beyond language, communicates whether you're American, French, German, Russian. The Russians are incredible actors. So, I don't think that's the case at all.

E!: But you just make the language sound so much better than we do! (laughs)
RF: (chuckles) No. Everyone's language is their own. It's their own voice. It's theirs.

E!: Yes, it is. Okay, just one last question. One of the funny things I found in the articles and stuff, you yourself said about yourself: You know you can be unpleasant and nasty.
RF: (grins, covers 1/2 his face with his hand and looks down) Oh yes, all right. (laughs) Well...

E!: Is that true (disbelievingly)
RF: Well, yeah

E!: You seem affable enough.
RF: Well, what's the time limit? (jokingly looks at his watch) When the 15 minutes are up...it all changes! (laughs) [E! guy laughs] (grins) No, I did say that. But I think what I was trying to say that, you know, everyone has that side to them.

E!: I know.
RF: So, now you're reading it back to me...the quote.

E!: Don't you hate that?
RF: (grins) Yeah. (laughs)

E!: Thank you and continued success. It was good to see you.
RF: Thank you. Thanks very much. Thank you.