Jared Harris on Reawakening, Mad Men memories and how independent cinema has changed

Jared Harris on Reawakening, Mad Men memories and how independent cinema has changed

As a longtime admirer of Harris’ versatile acting skills and his knack for picking exceptional roles, I must say that his portrayal of Lane Pryce on Mad Men was nothing short of mesmerizing. His ability to bring such depth and emotion to the character during some of the show’s most poignant moments truly showcased his talent as an actor.


In the latest movie titled “Reawakening,” actor Jared Harris portrays a character experiencing a challenging situation: ten years after the mysterious disappearance of his and his wife’s teenage daughter, a woman purportedly her (Erin Doherty) appears unexpectedly at their home.

Meanwhile, Juliet Stephenson, portrayed as his wife, easily believes the woman’s claims about her identity. However, Harris’s character remains skeptical, suspecting that she might not truly be his daughter, and anticipates some form of trickery or deceit.

In simpler terms, “The mother tends to rely on her feelings for understanding reality, while the father is more inclined towards hard facts and logical analysis.

In several aspects, the storyline of “Reawakening” bears similarities to an extraordinary true tale, which formed the basis for the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated documentary titled “The Impostor,” released in 2012.

The movie delved into the 1997 incident involving French con artist Frederic Bourdin, who managed to convincingly impersonate a 13-year-old Texas boy who had been missing for three years.

Regardless of a noticeable age gap, an assortment of disparate traits, and his distinctive French accent, the family of the missing child warmly accepted Bourdin as their presumed long-lost son. Several members seemed to be swayed by the deception.

The incident underscores just how far parents might stretch for clinging onto hope in situations like this, as Harris points out that it was one of numerous such stories which were merely on the fringes of Stephenson’s perspective during filming. Although research played a significant role in the project, Harris personally didn’t feel compelled to delve deeply into similar cases.

As a cinephile, let me express my thoughts: Acting feels like a creative exploration to me, and conducting research is crucial, yet it’s not about the research itself that I’m fascinated. Instead, it’s the endless possibilities that emerge from this process.

The script is designed to ignite your creativity. In other words, I discovered that the power within the script was so immense that I didn’t feel the need for additional support from research. Instead, it became straightforward to let my imagination take over and explore this world.

Beyond taking on an acting role for the movie, Harris additionally functions as an executive producer on the project titled “Reawakening”. This dual role, as he explains, granted him a more significant level of creative influence within the film’s development.

On the projects he’s worked on, it’s not always the case that there’s open collaboration and daily discussions between the director and cast, but with Virginia Gilbert as both writer and director, this was a consistent practice, making for productive conversations before filming each day.

Typically, when you join a project as an actor, there are instances where you’re asked for your thoughts on the script. However, more times than not, these suggestions aren’t welcomed; they prefer to keep their own course, as he puts it.

I guess by joining as a producer, you’d become involved in those discussions. It seems unusual to me that individuals with a background in narrating tales to audiences wouldn’t be consulted about the content, but that’s just how things often work.

Jared Harris on Reawakening, Mad Men memories and how independent cinema has changed

Throughout his acting career, Harris has been associated with numerous independent films, dating back to his initial roles. He remarks that “the landscape of independent cinema has undergone a massive transformation” over time, primarily influenced by contemporary audience viewing habits.

He points out that the ease with which we can access and consume all types of content has significantly contributed to this situation. He adds that independent films now face greater difficulties because it’s becoming increasingly hard for people to identify and recognize the work you’ve created, given the abundance of content available.

As far as the practical aspects of producing films go, he maintains that not much has evolved over time. Moreover, he challenges those who argue that creating TV and movies are fundamentally different.

He points out that there’s no difference at all, as both sets of equipment (lights, sound, cameras), along with the teams operating them, are identical.

“You end up with this sort of similar amount of time, like three or four takes, and then you move on, even on the big movies – everyone except for David Fincher, who would regularly do into double digits takes on everything.

Essentially, the method of content creation is now identical for both television and film. Previously, there was a distinction, but that gap has been eliminated.

Regarding television, it’s worth noting that Harris has an impressive track record when it comes to selecting successful ventures.

He’s been featured in numerous critically acclaimed series throughout the 21st century, ranging from Mad Men and Chernobyl to The Crown and the less-watched but highly praised The Terror. So, how does he consistently choose shows that resonate deeply with audiences?

As a passionate movie-goer, I’d put it this way: “The writing is the heart of any story.” If I’m not captivated by the narrative, how can I expect others to be? So when I pick up a script, I give it the first 30 pages. If it hooks me, I can’t help but keep reading, eager to uncover the ending. But if I find myself checking the time and pushing through the dialogue… well, that’s usually a sign it needs some work.

He explains, “You only agree to such things when necessary because we all have bills like rent and mortgages to take care of. So, sometimes you say yes for financial reasons. These situations usually turn out to be disappointing experiences rather than something extraordinary, though there are exceptions.

Jared Harris on Reawakening, Mad Men memories and how independent cinema has changed

As a cinephile, I firmly believe that the essence lies in the script. It’s all about the storyline. Yet, this doesn’t always guarantee success because sometimes, even though a piece is exceptionally written, it fails to resonate. It remains an enigma.

It seems to me that if we could always predict the outcome of everything, a single individual would essentially control the world. Yet, if everyone knew the ending, the excitement and unpredictability that keeps us engaged would disappear. The thrill of not knowing is what keeps us all captivated repeatedly.

Amongst various characters Harris portrayed throughout his career, one standout and unforgettable role was Lane Pryce in Mad Men, which he played from the third to the fifth season of the iconic ’60s series.

The program was already a massive success when he joined, but his presence seems to have been during its peak performance. His role on the series might have contributed to some of its best episodes ever. Moreover, one of the most emotionally intense storylines in the show’s history—and possibly television as a whole—involved his character.

Harris gets noticeably excited when discussing the series, sharing heartwarming memories from that era and mentioning that he maintains contact with its creator, Matthew Weiner.

He mentions that we stood side by side on the picket lines during the strike. Whenever I run into those who participated, it’s always a warm embrace and conversation. Plus, remember when Jon Hamm presented us with the Emmy for Chernobyl?

He remembers it as an exceptional workplace, truly extraordinary,” he recalls. “What we were working on seemed to resonate deeply with people. By the time I came aboard, it had already struck a chord. It won consecutive Emmys and Golden Globes, and was universally praised. You could even find clothing inspired by Mad Men in stores.

The impact was noticeable in cultural norms, as men began adopting new styles of dress. A resurgence of cocktail culture occurred, which is an unusual phenomenon associated with any entity, be it a TV show or entertainment piece. Everyone involved understood the significance of what they were creating.

Jared Harris on Reawakening, Mad Men memories and how independent cinema has changed

Additionally, he appreciated the unique aspect that, unlike many current shows, this series was shot one episode at a time. This way, he and the entire cast and crew were able to journey through the story in much the same manner as the viewers.

As a movie critic, I found myself constantly on the edge of my seat due to the unpredictable nature of this production. Each day, as dawn broke, we’d gather around with bated breath, unsure of what twists and turns awaited us in the script that would be delivered at midday. The cast and crew, ever eager, would spend their lunch breaks devouring those pages, already anticipating the scenes they’d bring to life the following day.

He also mentioned that the level of detail and thought put into it was incredibly exciting for everyone involved. Weiner wanted everyone else to share his enthusiasm for the topic, so he ensured even small details like the magazines on a desk corresponded with the timeline of the event.

If you pull open the drawer and discover items inside that don’t belong to the time period – which is quite unusual – those items would be discarded altogether. The candies themselves were vintage treats from back then. It was incredible, the level of attention to detail. Clearly, everyone involved took such great care.

It’s evident that Harris is equally invested in Reawakening, as he was thrilled by the positive reception it garnered during its premiere at the Dublin Film Festival earlier this year. Now, he aspirates for it to resonate with audiences in movie theaters as well.

This tale is quite impactful and captures me almost immediately, right from its opening scenes. It leads you through a profound, emotional odyssey that proves rewarding because it offers a satisfying conclusion, not leaving you in suspense. Instead, it opts for a straightforward, fulfilling ending.

As a captivated reader, I must admit that the tale poses some intriguing, seemingly surface-level questions. However, these inquiries are masterfully addressed within the confines of the mystery itself. The story leaves me pondering long after I’ve turned the last page, contemplating what truth I would embrace if given the choice – a thought-provoking conundrum indeed. Would you, too, be willing to accept this reality?

Reawakening is now showing in UK cinemas.

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2024-09-13 17:07