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10-04-00 news EXCLUSIVE
ShowbizIreland.com Talks to Kristen Scott Thomas about her new movie "UP AT THE VILLA"
IRISH RELEASE DATE APRIL 14.

WILL Kristen Scott Thomas always play the same roles as she has done in every single movie. Well, yes according to the actress who just happens to be the most English of the English aristoctic actress's and who, ironically, just happens to have spent the past twenty years living in Paris. Thomas, the star of such hits as The Horse Whisper and The English Patient is the quintessential English lady and is currently busy publicising her first millennium movie, Up at the Villa, an adapation of the novella written by W Somerset Maugham.

The story is less then simple. An implusive sexual encounter by Mary Panton (Kristen Scott Thomas) an English lady visiting friends in pre-war Tuscany. Which, as it turns out, spirals into tragedy, theft, blackmail and eventually, redemptive love. Based in Italy in 1938, the movie starts with Mary being visited by an old friend Sir Edgar Swift (James Fox) who arrives to propose to her. Speaking about his role Fox says a film like this was a joy to work on. "A literary film and a well written film like this is always a plesure to work on. And this was just that a plesure to do."

Mary looks forward to the stability and comfort of life with him in India where he is to be the Governor of Bengal. despite the differance in their ages and her own lack of passion for him, she asks Sir Edgar to return for her answer in a few days. At a dinner party hosted by Mary's friend, the Princess San Ferdinado (Anne Bancroft) Mary is admired by the local Fascist leader, Beppino Leopardi (Massimo Ghini) but his attentions fail to impress her.

She is however, intrigued by a newly arrived American visitor, Rowley Flint (Sean Penn). When a rejected suitor takes his own life in Mary's bedroom, Mary turns to Rowley for help in covering up the death. Mary and Rowley's conspiracy cements a growing bond between them. Despite her love for the American, Mary is determined not to abandon the security of her furture life with Sir Edgar.

When Sir Edgar returns, Mary tells him her story. Although he cannot accept the Governorship of Bengal if he is to marry a woman who's secret might one day come out, he is prepared to give up his career to honour his proposal of marriage. But, Mary releases him from his duty towards her and with an unacknowledged sense of relief, he accepts he refusal. There is then nothing left for Mary in Italy and she makes arrangements to return to England.

At the station her colourful friend and tour guide Lucky Leadbetter (Derek Jacobi) is there to bid her farewell until... A semi dramatic ending.

Well, a little anyway! Why do you think it only took Kristen Scott Thomas one and half seconds to make up her mind to do the movie and then retire for a year straight after it. Philip Haas who directed was asked to make the film by Sydney Pollock the heavyweight Hollywood producer. "We've been looking for something to do for a while together," Krisen explained.

Interrupting, Philip Haas contined "We had a wonderful time doing Angels and Insects which Kristen also stared in and we quickly wanted to find something else to do, Up at the Villa was a case of both of us reading the book and saying let's do this."

When asked if she ever gets bored doing period drama Kristen insisted that's not how she sees the roles. "I don't see them as period pieces but the speech patterns and morals of that period are of that period and that was also very interesting. When you read the novel you discover that they all seem to be going through this facade they all put on and that in fact they are really thinking the exact same thing we would be thinking today and probally doing the same thing." Kristen continues "However, they still have to go throught this ritual and the final scenes in the film with James's character you can see this when they are saying what they are surpossed to be saying but they are really feeling the complete opposite."

Director Haas says that does this in his films. "I like to give films a sub text so you have to go back a second time to see behind what's going on. Especially when there are subplots regarding the story like in Up at the Villa with the evening visitor. I also find you can be free with these period pieces.The interesting thing here is that the male lead Sean Penn is actually nothing like Sean has never played a role like this before and I think Sean is actually a Rowley type character in real life and we always wished for someone like that and like Sean Penn, so we just asked him." So, why doesen't Kristen make more big Hollywood movies and start churning out one Hollywood blockbuster after another. " It not just the Hollywood exposure type of thing it's just the mundane timing but when met up it took just nine weeks for Up at the Vila. Where as the Horse Whisper took six months. So, it's a a question of the practical side of things. Basically if you make an american film you need one year to make it. But, I surpose this may be considered an american film." Haas explaines Kristen's remarks. " It was financed by money from the states and made with largely an Italian crew" But Kristen says a major reason for her to do the film was the involvement of her team which made this film. "It was a very big part of my descison that I was going in as a team and we all went in together. We all arrived the same time and went home the same time. It's a completly different type of atmosphere then in america."

The big question now is what is the film like to watch? As in the recent Neil Jorden film The End of the Affair costume's, set decor and scenary are stunningly accurate. As are the preformances by James Fox, Anne Bancroft, Massimo Ghini and Jeramy Davies who plays Mary's one night encounter and Derek Jacobi who plays Mary's gay guide to Tuscany and popps in and out of the movie sporatically. Sean Penn gives an outstanding performance as usual and Kristen Scott Thomas plays the same role she alwys plays but in a more sympathic kind of way.

All in all the film is throughtly enjoyable in a romantic misty Hollywood of the fifities type of way with a heart felt warmth given out by Kristen's character as the audince put themselves in the shoes of her Mary and the life she is being forced to life with in an effort to do the right thing. Definalty more a arthouse style classic then a Hollywood Oscar winner but I feel that's just what the films makers headed out the make anyway.