The director of Eddington, Ari Aster, gave Joaquin Phoenix an indirect note that changed his character

One of the advantages that can accompany any relationship, whether romantic, platonic or professional, is the development of a form of communication Serme. Instead of having to explain to you at length as you do with any stranger, this stenography can make communication faster, clearer or simply resonate at an even deeper level than something verbal. This type of relationship is particularly useful during the manufacture of art, because it allows employees to climb on the same wavelength with a minimum of hassle. Even more than things like mutual respect, similar interests and a real enjoyment of the company, this aspect of a regular working relationship is a great reason why so many actors and directors like to associate. From Martin Scorsese and Robert de Niro to Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy, these pairs can allow filmmakers and actors to do a very deep and perceptive work together.

With the release of “Eddington”, it seems that the writer / director Ari Aster has finally found a recurrent muse in the form of actor Joaquin Phoenix, who was the star of Aster’s previous characteristic, “Beautiful is fear”, and is also the head of Eddington “. This choice is more notable once you realize that ASTER has worked with none of the same actors, “Eddington” is only his fourth feature, it is always a bit unusual. Behind the construction of his character “Eddington”, Joe Cross, including the indirect note that ASTER gave him during the shooting which essentially unlocked Joe for the actor in a major way.

“Eddington” is more than another surrealist thriller Ari Aster. It is a neo-Western look back on the conflicts of 2020, with the small sheriff of the city of Phoenix, Joe, taken in the middle when he decides imprudent to embark on a mayor campaign. Elements of gravelly and American history are blurring with satire, myth and surrealism, a powerful mixture that does not lend itself to a simple or obvious approach. Thus, the collaboration between Aster and Phoenix began almost as soon as the “Eddington” script has become. Meanwhile, the director and the actor had trouble nailing the character of Joe, even until the way he spoke, as Phoenix explained during the round table:

“This one, we had started to work together and read the script a year in advance. And therefore, we had crossed so many discussions about the way Joe was going to talk, because the very first thing for me was when I read this script, I just heard this voice. And then we gathered, Ari and I said to myself:” I heard this voice. “He said to himself:” Well, what is it? “And I said to myself:” I don’t know. And so, we just continued to speak and occasionally, I tried things. It was really really tried to understand who he is. “”

Despite the talents of Aster and Phoenix, finding the character of Joe proved to be problematic enough for this to have almost gone through a day of filming pre-paved equipment for the film. Phoenix continued:

“But I remember that moment on the set, it was our first official day of shooting. And we had already shot a scene that was not officially [the film]It was the press conference. And I really had trouble. I was really nervous. And I had the impression that something was missing from the scene, and I couldn’t identify what it was exactly. I just knew that it had to do with recognition … It’s just after making the announcement is mayor and I must recognize it in one way or another. And I remember that it was super uncomfortable because we lacked time and we had to go for lunch and we had already burned an hour. We had nothing yet. And so I was really nervous. “”

Although having a first day of bumpy filming is not too rare, it would be sense that Phoenix and Aster find the trouble when they launch out in an ambitious film like “Eddington”. Fortunately, the strength of their work partnership forged on “Beau is frightened”, allowing Aster to give Phoenix a note that was hardly more than a gesture, and it was enough to help Phoenix build the whole character from there. In fact, it was not even a direct note, because Aster simply executed Joe’s lines alongside Phoenix to help the two understand the character. As Phoenix explained:

“So, I stand in front of the blackboard, and I practice my lines. And then Ari stands next to me and he goes through the lines at the same time. We are both side by side. And Ari takes the feelings. He does not separate from the character. And he does. I don’t know. Joe is always in this state of setting up the hand, trying to stop the world, and that is the way. Unlocked for me, at least for this scene, it gave me some clarity. “

From there, Aster and Phoenix could really dive into Joe and “Eddington”, attacking the biased set of the film of characters and situations with a better base. It is the kind of work that comes from artists who have experience and knowledge of each other; As Phoenix said, the duo “was less cordial” when making “Eddington” because ASTER is now “fully armed” on the functioning of the actor. Who knows if Aster and Phoenix will work together for the third time in the future, but when the results are as singular and convincing as those of “Beautiful are afraid” and “Eddington”, it would be a crime if they have not done so.

“Eddington” is now playing in theaters.