The Rule of Jenny Pen appears quite daunting! Are you afraid of sudden aging? BenderRodriguez It’s not sudden. I was in [King] Lear at 64 and needed a grey wig because the character was supposed to be 80. Now at 73, I still feel like a brunette inside. This marks my 54th year in the industry. The last decade has flown by. I waited for a project like this one to commit three or four months of my life to. I’ve been selective about what I dedicate my time to.
No doubt there was a lot of work involved, but was playing Hector Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies as enjoyable as it seemed? Have you ever revisited the character for fun? Liam01 It was fun. Director Gore Verbinski had a sense of pop cultural anarchy. Fans of the Pirates movies should also watch Rango, which bears his cinematic style. I’ve revisited the character briefly for the Disney rides in Anaheim, Shanghai, and maybe in Florida. I remember voicing lines after a long day on another project and thinking, „Will this never end?“ It’s a fun vanity of being part of cinema history.
Have you had experience with care homes? BenderRodriguez My mother passed away in 2022 on Valentine’s Day after spending three or four years in a care home. The last year saw a noticeable decline as she was in her 90s. My mother-in-law had a similar experience. So, once you hit 60, it’s time to appreciate your caregivers.
How did it feel to have a Nobel prize winner portray your conscience? (Harold Pinter in The Tailor of Panama.) Urrurrsh It was three of the best days of my life. Harold Pinter was a hero of mine while studying English theatre in Brisbane. He was emotional when he saw a painting of himself in a tailor’s suit as his father had been a tailor in the East End. It was a powerful moment.
You’ve played many real-life figures like Trotsky and Groucho Marx. How does your approach differ from fictional characters? hubbahubba, Haider3, WomanofWolfville I’ve portrayed several biopics, with some falling into Wikipedia tropes. Finding contemporary relevance while honoring historical context is crucial when playing figures like Einstein or Trotsky. Director Shekhar Kapur’s approach in Elizabeth was unique, focusing on the characters as mythical figures rather than historical figures.
Quills is a favorite film of mine, and your performance was outstanding. What was it like working with Philip Kaufman? Bicuser I initially felt Marlon Brando should play the part, not me, as I didn’t match the physicality of the Marquis de Sade. However, Philip explained that the character was the Marquis‘ fantasy, not his physical reality. It was a valuable lesson.
I enjoyed The Best Offer, where you and Donald Sutherland excelled. Any other films you feel deserved more recognition? pconl Films get what they deserve. The Warrior’s Way, originally titled Laundry Warrior, was hit by the 2008 financial crisis. I felt it had potential with its unique eastern western concept but unfortunately didn’t perform as expected.
What memories do you have of Toowoomba? Didgebaba When I was eight, my family lived with my grandparents in Toowoomba. It was an artistic hub in regional Australia, with a traveling variety troupe led by George Sorlie’s widow and clown Bobby Le Brun. They put on shows at night and pantomimes during the day. The Toowoomba Philharmonic Society also fueled my love for Broadway musicals with their production of Oklahoma in 1959 still etched in my memory.
Lantana is one of my favorite neo-noirs. Is the noir genre more aligned with Australian culture, or is the sunny optimism of the can-do attitude a better representation of the national psyche? StevefromNottingham
I find it surprising that the Gen Z audience associates me with that film.
Both pessimism and optimism coexist. During my time working on Shakespeare in Love, the young actors were proud of their regional accents and didn’t feel the need to conform to a standard dialect for PR purposes. They were proudly scousers or northerners. However, they were able to adapt and perform well. We would watch Neighbours every afternoon, and they were skilled at imitating what they believed to be a perfect Australian accent. I had to correct them and explain that it was a television accent, not an accurate representation of how Australians speak. It’s much more nuanced than that.
I believe that the sunny, can-do image of Australia reflects a cultural reality, but it’s important to acknowledge the darker aspects of our history as well. Films like Wake in Fright and Nitram explore the difficult and regretful parts of Australian history, from white settlement onwards. The best filmmakers don’t shy away from these realities, which is why Australian humor can be sharp and satirical. We are more than just a surf culture.
Was John Lithgow as intimidating as he appeared in Jenny Pen, and how would you rate his Australian accent? BenderRodriguez
Yes, John Lithgow fully committed to his role and even had special teeth made for the character. He has a talent for horror acting and his attention to detail, like the silver-grey contacts, really brought the character to life.
I warned him about the pitfalls of the New Zealand accent, as it can be tricky for English speakers. Kate Winslet is one of the few who can master it. John and I discussed the concept of having an „idiolect“, a unique sound to your voice. John chose to portray his character with a nasty, dry, and deceptive tone, which suited the nature of the character.
The Rule of Jenny Pen trailer – video
What is your favorite Peter Sellers film? After embodying him in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, do you agree with his assessment that he struggled to find his own identity outside of his roles? Bauhaus66
I had the opportunity to watch every Peter Sellers film while in LA, and I was amazed by his talent. Success, fame, and other factors can complicate one’s sense of identity, and I believe that was the case for him.
I don’t judge characters based on their actions. Caravaggio and Ripley may have done questionable things, but the actors portrayed them in such a way that you empathize with them. A good actor can make you root for even the most morally ambiguous characters.
Swinging time … Rush in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Photograph: United Archives GmbH/Alamy
You’ve played characters like Lionel Logue, Donovan Donaly, Hans Hubermann, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and even voiced Bunyip Bluegum. Is there a reason behind your attraction to alliterative characters? VerulamiumParkRanger
I’ve noticed a pattern in my roles, and I think it’s because of my childhood fascination with alliteration. I played the character „Harry“ multiple times as well. It’s interesting how certain names and sounds can stick with you.
I believe that the story and the character are equally important when choosing a role. I enjoyed working on House on Haunted Hill because it offered a different experience from my usual period roles. It was a fun project that allowed me to explore new genres and techniques.
When I’m not working, I’m fascinated by the Mercury Seven astronauts and the James Webb telescope. I enjoy learning about space exploration and the innovative technologies that make it possible.
Und es ging in den Weltraum und dann öffnete es sich und jetzt sehen wir Sachen im Dunkeln.
Ich bin einfach total besessen von der Andersartigkeit dessen, was da draußen ist. Jeder sagt, eines Tages werden sie plötzlich sagen: „Es gab definitiv Kommunikation mit Wesen oder Kreaturen oder überentwickelten Insekten, die in eine andere Richtung gegangen sind. Sie nehmen Kontakt mit uns auf.“ Die Größe von allem! Aber das könnte vielleicht nicht einmal passieren. Es könnte vor Millionen von Jahren passiert sein und gekommen und gegangen sein.
Also sei einfach glücklich, dass wir tatsächlich auf diesem Stück Fels evolviert sind und relativ sophisticated wurden. Aber nicht so sophisticated, denn das ist wahrscheinlich die schlimmste Zeit, die der Planet wirklich durchgemacht hat. Es gibt eine Grenze, und in Jenny Pen treffen die Zuschauer darauf. Wie wäre es, in diesem Haus im letzten Kapitel deines Lebens zu sein, zu wissen, dass es wirklich keine Hoffnung gibt?
Ich mag auch Hunde und kryptische Kreuzworträtsel. Ich habe einen Windhund und eine regelmäßige Serie von generationalen Möpsen. Der, den wir im Moment haben, nähert sich dem Ende. Der Blick in ihren Augen wird verwirrt und verloren und ich sage ihr: „Du bist ein Schatz.“
The Rule of Jenny Pen ist jetzt in UK und irischen Kinos und auf digitalen Plattformen ab dem 28. März verfügbar