We talk sad films, realistic romance and Dom Perignon with Fault in Our Stars actor Jean Brassard.
What’s the saddest film you’ve ever seen?
Now there’s a big question to start with! I’d have to say in the last few decades, Brokeback Mountain and Sophie’s Choice. But also, another great adaptation is the movie Waterland, adapted from Graham Swift’s novel. Haunting and heartbreaking.
Some describe this film as not so much a sad movie as one of hope. Would you agree?
I think it’s a movie about inner strength and connection between people. About being able to deal with the present no matter what the present how hard it can be. That is true of all the characters in the movie to me, allowing oneself to experience the gamut of emotions that it sometimes mean. And to share with the ones you love. And it has a great dose of defiance as well. That’s what dreamers do, don’t they, defy? So I guess that’s closer to hope, yes.
If you were to compare The Fault in Our Stars to another film, what would it be?
I’d pick Brokeback Mountain again. The impossible love, the fate of the characters which is really in the style of tragedy since their circumstances are determined by social morals in one case and by the too quick passage of time in the other; in both the absolute finality of death.
The target audience are teenagers, of course, but do you believe it will also have an impact on others?
The movie touches people who love, who dream, who live with ideals, who are young, who remember their first love regardless of circumstances, who have children, who wish they would have had children, who have suffered grief or are dealing with it in the present and those who are romantic. And all those folks should see it with a friend, spouse or partner,
You’ve only a small part in the movie, but you get to say one of the most treasured lines in it (and the book). Were you aware how special that line was when you were doing it? Did you perfect it over and over?
I loved the lines I was handed right away. Between talking about what Dom Perignon said after he discovered champagne, “Come quickly, he said, I’m tasting the star!” to the one that seems to be having a life of it’s own now “We’ve bottled all the stars for you tonight, my young friends!” I felt privileged to say them. I didn’t perfect them over and over; I learned them and let them float about inside until I got to be with those two beautiful young people who I had the pleasure to serve in that scene. They made the lines real for me, gave a reason to say them.
Because this is a movie essentially for a younger generation, how important do you think the internet has been in the marketing of the movie?
Huge. Most of the folks involved in the production of this film are quite young actually and are all very savvy with social media and such, starting with John Green, the author.
Film reviewers tend to be very harsh on sweet romantic dramas – whether it’s a film like this or something from Nicholas Sparks. Do you believe critics can make or break a movie?
I think it is something that the internet with its multitude of opinions is rapidly changing. Sure the reviewers have some influence but not as much. Nowadays, people are more likely to follow what their friends are saying and recommending on FB or Twitter and such than anything else. And I believe that each piece of art finds its audienc.
Finally, Shailene Woodley is amazing in the movie. Did you get a glimpse of that brilliance working with her?
What impressed me the most with Shailene is how unassuming she is, friendly, relaxed and and so at ease with herself, the camera and everyone around on the set. She can go in and out very freely between takes and breaks and remain herself and dig into her character in a way that seems effortless. It was clear to me on set and it is more than obvious on the screen: she is a faultless star.
Thank you for your questions.
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