Forming Opinion in the upcoming film “The Lost City” and “The Last Bus to Lisbon” with Antonio Banderas well as “The Forthcoming projects include a historical drama “King and Conqueror, The Last Bus to Lisbon, while the latter being part of the Guinness family.
You’ll recognize a versatile actor when they can convincingly portray one of the most terrifying TV antagonists from the past decade, while also excelling as a quirky real-life pioneer who made significant scientific advancements in the 20th century.
James Norton is undeniably versatile; his talent has been showcased in various roles over the past year and a half. After sending shivers down spines with his chilling portrayal of Tommy Lee Royce in the final season of Happy Valley, he garnered critical acclaim for his theatre performance in A Little Life, a heart-wrenching play. In between these roles, he played a significant part in the Bob Marley biopic One Love. Now, he’s starring in Joy, a Netflix original film written by Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason.
In this role, Norton portrays Robert Edwards, one of the trio of pioneering scientists who collaborated during the 1960s and 70s to develop the method known as in vitro fertilization (IVF), despite significant resistance and criticism from the media, religious institutions, and even their scientific peers.
The film is deeply personal for Thorne, Mason, and director Ben Taylor, as they are directly impacted by the groundbreaking work performed by Edwards, Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy), and Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie). This project holds a special significance to them.
During a particularly demanding and stressful summer play, he found himself with some free time following a challenging job,” he elaborates.
I was told by everyone I conversed with that I desperately needed a break, but when the script arrived on my desk, I couldn’t help but feel the tantalizing blend of talented writers, directors, and cast members would be an offer too tempting to refuse, despite a few initial reservations about how engaging the story might appear on-screen.
Norton personally has encountered numerous individuals who were conceived through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), resulting in a multitude of babies, toddlers, and young children he now knows. However, he was previously uninformed about the backstory of the scientific discovery and the resistance its pioneers encountered during their time. This sparked his belief in acknowledging and appreciating the significant contributions these innovators made.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself deeply immersed in the filmmaking journey of Thorne, Mason, and Taylor, as their personal experiences added an extra layer of authenticity that elevated the entire production. The heightened sense of investment we all felt made each moment on set feel that much more significant.
He remarks, “Individuals were heading to their jobs, returning home, and taking care of these infants who wouldn’t exist otherwise, if you catch my drift. In essence, the world would lack that affection. And when you consider that around 12 million children have been born through IVF, it becomes even more profound.
Ben is at present filming in Albuquerque and he shared with me how challenging it is to be separated from his kids. This man truly cherishes his children deeply. Jack and Rachel adore Eliot immensely. A world devoid of such love seems absurd. Hence, it underscores the significance of this science on a small, personal scale. It’s truly remarkable how much happiness this specific scientific advancement has generated.
The title of the film is reminiscent of Louise Brown’s middle name, who was the world’s first baby born through IVF. Interestingly, it appears that the title also aptly captures the process of creating this movie. Norton developed an exceptionally strong rapport with co-stars Nighy and McKenzie, and their friendship seems to extend beyond the typical camaraderie shared by actors on a production.
He’d certainly disapprove if I mentioned this, but he’s truly a remarkable person, brimming with stories and insightful thoughts. He’s not only charming but also quick-witted, making him an absolute joy to be around, especially in the green room.
“You know, that summer was quite challenging for me, so I decided to take some time off. What really helped me relax was spending time with Bill Nighy, such an amazing actor. And then there’s Thomasin McKenzie, a truly talented actress who has become a dear friend. We had a fantastic time together and the set was filled with happiness. To this day, Bill, Thomasin, and I remain good friends.
We have an exclusive WhatsApp group named ‘The Fallopians.’ We often dine out together, and our friendship has endured. Occasionally, when you work together on a film set, sparks can fly, leading to promises of staying connected. Yet, it rarely happens. However, Bill, Thomasin, and I actually keep in touch, and we’re planning another dinner outing. This is a testament to the strong bond and closeness we managed to recreate on screen between the three characters.
Initially, despite eventually being recognized as visionary figures, Edwards, Steptoe, and Purdy encountered opposition as they persisted in their endeavor, which was met by increasing sensationalism from the media. In fact, such media coverage even strained her relationship with her devoutly religious mother.
As the public representative of the group, it was Edwards who primarily dealt with the consequences of their project in a highly visible manner.
Norton highly respects all three individuals, referring to them as pioneers and innovators who have significantly impacted us. Moreover, he was particularly impressed by the significant personal sacrifices they made to ensure their projects’ success, a feat he questions whether he himself could accomplish.
He admits to being someone who seeks to please others, but finds the concept of stepping into the world and interacting with society, aware that one may disappoint many, remarkably bold. However, he recognized its significance and understood why it mattered so much.
“What intrigued me about Bob was that he had five daughters, meaning he hadn’t faced infertility struggles himself. On the contrary, he had been fortunate enough to have these five wonderful, healthy kids. However, I believe this experience fueled him as well. He understood the joy his children brought him and felt everyone should have the chance to experience that same joy if they wanted children.
However, the resistance was not only taxing in terms of time, effort, and self-sacrifice, but also significantly impacted his relationships with his family, particularly his children and wife. This required an extraordinary level of determination from all three individuals, who were forced to disappoint those they cared for deeply, including Jean’s mother.
Moreover, it’s truly noteworthy that they recognized the significance of this action and were prepared to make such a great sacrifice.
In my experience, one of the aspects I found particularly satisfying about the role was delving into the human side of the man, not just his scientific persona. To me, Edwards seemed like a friendly yet somewhat peculiar individual – so much so that in one instance, Purdy refers to him as a “very unusual man.
As I delved into portraying this iconic figure, I uncovered a trove of quirky tales – some of which, I must admit, verged on inappropriate due to their sheer eccentricity. Yet, what resonated most was the undeniable allure he held for those around him.
He was deeply admired, as his coworkers found inspiration from his passion and vigor. As demonstrated, his book co-authored with Patrick, titled ‘A Matter of Life,’ showcases Patrick’s more technical, scientific contributions, which are somewhat dry and precise.
Another finding from the study was the strong resolve Edward showed in ensuring that Purdy, whose contributions to the project were frequently disregarded, received due acknowledgment. The movie’s closing notes detail how he tirelessly advocated for her name to be added to a plaque outside Kershaw’s Hospital, the primary site of their work. This long-awaited goal was achieved in 2015, two years after Edward’s demise and three decades following Purdy’s.
Is it his belief, being so dedicated, that Edwards would approve of a movie that primarily focuses on Purdy’s role and narrative?
Numerous efforts have been made to produce this movie, to convey this narrative, but I believe its ineffectiveness so far might be due to a common misconception that one must approach it from the perspective of the renowned scientists, Bob and Patrick.
In essence, the brilliant touch lies in acknowledging the tribute to Jean Purdy and the Ovum Club women, whose sacrifices are truly being recognized. As for Bob, it’s uncertain if he would approve of my depiction, but I certainly hope so. I endeavored to capture the essence of his kindness and generosity in my portrayal.
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Previously noted, Norton has showcased versatility across his film and television endeavors. Notable appearances include his extended stint on Grantchester, the leading character in the 2016 BBC’s rendition of War & Peace, and a secondary role in Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed, Oscar-nominated reinterpretation of Little Women.
It’s only natural then that he has a variety of diverse projects underway. In the near future, you’ll catch him in the new ITV drama titled Playing Nice. Furthermore, there are two distinct historical dramas coming up: King and Conqueror, and House of Guinness.
The former dramatises the Battle of Hastings and its build-up and sees him star as Harold of Wessex opposite Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s William the Conqueror. It’s an especially personal project for Norton given he’s also on board as a producer, and he describes the process of taking it on from the concept stage as “a real journey”.
He clarifies that the project has been in progress for approximately six to seven years, gradually maturing along the way. “We’ve had numerous discussions and consultations with various directors and writers,” he adds, explaining that the process has been a lengthy one, involving multiple stages of development.
Instead of House of Guinness, let’s say “Guinness Household” now. In contrast, they envision him joining forces with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to narrate an intriguing tale about the pivotal point in the 19th century when the well-loved stout brand began its global rise to fame. Norton hints that Knight is in top form with this production, and assures a “truly enjoyable” series.
This setting has a variety of beers, an unusual family, and intriguing characters created by Steven Knight, who seem to collide, banter, clash, and sometimes engage in intimate moments. The overall atmosphere is thrilling!” he expresses.
Instead of focusing on what’s ahead, let me ponder about the past. Now that some time has passed since the thrilling conclusion of Happy Valley, I can’t help but wonder how he reflects on his tenure on the show and the overwhelming praise it received from both viewers and critics. Did he anticipate such a reaction?
Norton expresses deep emotion towards those memories, stating confidently that from the beginning, it seemed evident they were crafting something truly exceptional for the final scene.
He reminisces about that particular day, as he notes it was unusually tranquil compared to the typical bustling studio environment filled with chatter, knocking, and clattering. That day seemed almost serene, akin to a church, for everyone recognized they had reached a significant moment where two characters were set to have a confrontation. Everyone had read the script, so there were no misleading rumors about false endings.
We anticipated the event due to the presence of the fire department, given the blaze. The tension was palpable among everyone. Then, Sarah Lancashire, an exceptionally talented actress, entered and delivered a stunning performance. I vividly recall thinking, ‘Wow, this can’t get any better! This is simply extraordinary!’
In the here and now, Norton aspires that the movie, more than anything else, encourages viewers to acknowledge and appreciate Edwards, Steptoe, Purdy, and any others who put themselves in the spotlight for a noble cause, despite facing dislike.
He further mentioned that many individuals have prompted a discourse about the ongoing discussions, he said. For me, the most profound insight from this movie is the heavy toll it took not only on Bob and Patrick, but more so on Jean – she passed away at 39 and didn’t have any children of her own.
She devoted her entire life to this cause. Her final moments were spent at Bourne Hall. A special room was prepared for her, where she passed away, encompassed by other mothers or women who had experienced the IVF journey themselves – these individuals formed her close-knit circle. This group represented her family.
In our current era, what we once took for granted is increasingly under threat, revealing just how delicate it can be. This movie, to me, underscores the importance of safeguarding advancements at any cost, as they are both vulnerable and priceless. Consequently, since we have struggled for choice, it becomes our duty to preserve it.
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2024-11-22 17:04