spk_1:   0:00
What do you do on Sundays?  

spk_1:   0:02
We talk about Cate Blanchett, the acting, costumes, the awards, but mostly Blanchett of it all. I'm not acting thing is a mother.

spk_1:   0:18
You Erica.

spk_0:   0:21
This is Sunday's escaped and I'm your host for Todd. Welcome to Sunday's Escaped a podcast. Siri's about Films of K. Blanche it This is Marta Del Fumble. And today we are discussing the 2004 film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizou, which was directed by Wes Anderson and start Kate Angelica Houston and Bill Murray as Steve Zizou. And my guest is filmmaker and producer Erica Man. Hi, Erica.

spk_1:   0:57
Hi, Murtada. How are you

spk_0:   0:59
doing? Great. Thank you for coming on the

spk_1:   1:01
pod. Thank you for having me. This is such a full circle moment because we've been talking on life or Ember and how we're actually talking like actual people. This is great.

spk_0:   1:11
Yes, it's I think we'd be talking online for at least 67 years, if not more.

spk_1:   1:18
Like since I've been on Twitter, mostly, we've been talking, and, uh, yeah, this is actually kind of crazy that this is our first time speaking to each other, but I love it that it's all about Kate. So this is a good

spk_0:   1:31
and Kate was one of the things we talked about when we first started talking online.

spk_1:   1:36
Yes, I think we'll free I I'm trying to remember, but I think I noticed you first cause you had such amazing takes about the fashion fashion online. And I was like, Oh, this guy knows what he's talking about. And but then you had such smart takes about Kate, um herself and her acting. And I was like, OK, we can be friends because I, too, and an admirer of the Cate Blanchett. And so how apropos that you have a podcast about her. If this is such a great idea for a podcast, it was great because it forced me to go back and dive into her films and kind of like re jog my memory because I think she's She's at his level now where she's calling on the S, the upper echelon of, like fame and wealth and like celebrity and acting. But I think it's always good to a back in kind of like, Oh, she's been here. She's put in the work

spk_0:   2:27
and it's great to have you so tell me about your impression of gate or the first time you saw a film of ours.

spk_1:   2:33
Uh, so I thought about this and it's so funny because I feel like I talk about this film and every podcasts don't podcast. I go on, but it really was lower the rings especially. Ah, Lord Rings Fellowship of the Ring. The trilogy was a big part of my childhood. And so what? I first saw the fellowship, you know, she plays the beautiful Glade, a role elf in the movie. And she's like, No, a big character. She's beautiful, She's white, she's she's literally glowing. A beacon of hope for the Weary, huh? Fellowship. And so that was the first time as a kid seeing her. And I didn't I didn't really know her. I didn't know her pills afore, but I remember being like My God, this one is gorgeous. Her cheekbones could cut me like she's so pretty. And, uh, yeah, and then from there, I don't think I actually kind of officially hopped on until The Aviator. I think that was when I was like, Okay, I'm I'm fooling. This woman is incredible. She is acting circles around lead on DiCaprio. I stand forever. So I think Lord Aries was the first time I saw her. And really, like, soak. Turn in.

spk_0:   3:47
Yeah. I mean, Lord of the Rings is the entry for a lot of people. My entry was a little bit earlier, was Elizabeth. And it was just that was such a fantastic introduction for her, for the word to the world. And to me, you mentioned the Aviator. And actually, the movie that we're talking about today was released in the U. S. In some places and on the same day that the Aviator was released. Which thank you, Frank Toe, I am TB.

spk_1:   4:16
What if Lex have two movies come out a big film and also a tiny indie film just on the same day? But such a flex?

spk_0:   4:24
Yeah. And was two iconic film makers like Scorsese and Wes Anderson. Wes Anderson wasn't as iconic as he is today. When this movie came out, it was only his fourth film, but still she was working with the best at the same time.

spk_1:   4:39
Kate has really she has good taste. Like she is someone who I even if the film isn't always that good, I feel like she is very selective about who she works with, What kind of project she picks like you never say like, oh, she must been She must have wanted a paycheck. I always feel like Okay, even if it's a big film, I'm always like, OK, May the paycheck was a nice little incentive, But you know, there's something there to the material that she probably was like, Oh, I could do this. I could work with this

spk_0:   5:09
or someone interesting that she wanted to work with which in this case is Bill Murray, Angelica Houston and, of course, Wes Anderson himself. Okay, so the Life Aquatic is about a notion. Ah, gra for cold Steve Zizou, played by Bill Murray. And he goes on a sort of Moby Dick like mythical revenge story about this shark who killed his partner. And he wanted to exact revenge on him. And and then it's about his crew. So Willem Dafoe, Noah Taylor. When Wilson. There's a lot of actress wearing his crew. Kate Days Jane Winslett Richardson, uh, who is a reporter for oceanography IQ Explorer. That's the name of the magazine. I think it's made up interested in interviewing Z Sue and sort of goes with them on this mystical revenge trip. They go on to catch this shark. Angelica Houston is his wife, and they sort of have an off on Marat. There's Jeff Gold Bloom as her ex or on the side lover. It's not clear

spk_1:   6:18
it's very clear, So this is

spk_0:   6:20
the plot of the movie. But like all of Wes Anderson's movies, it's very Corky. It's full of characters and costumes, and the frame is full with so many things. And even if you don't like the story, there is just something toe look at in right. It's not one of my favorite of Wes Anderson's butt. It's enjoyable for what it is. What do you think?

spk_1:   6:45
So I full disclosure. This is my first time seeing this film. I knew of the film because I'm a film person, and I just felt like I saw a lot of the costuming before I even saw them. I knew in the film because when that film came out, it was such it was such a cult falling around this film like you couldn't go anywhere without seeing the classic no blue jumpsuit and red hat like parties and, like everyone was wearing it. And it was just kind of like But what is it? What's it about? And then it was this kind of ALS would kind of, you know, history. Things were like, Oh, you just have to see it to understand. Okay, Um, so I I think that's my first time actually seeing it. But I'm happy that I am familiar somewhat of Wes Anderson's work before jumping into this, because I feel like if I hadn't if this was my first time watching a West Anderson film, I don't know if I would have a full fledged opinion that is nuanced about him as I do now, because I experienced his work and I've seen it, and I I think I have a different kind of take on it. And so, watching this now with the idea of like how I feel about Wes Anderson, I agree it's not my favorite. However, One thing I tend to appreciate about Wes is work is like yes, you know, we get caught up in the shots and then the nine degree angle shots and the aesthetic and oh, at the outfits. Oh my God, I wish I could have it. And the color is in the, you know, all that's the style. And I think a lot of people get caught up on that, which I do too. Like I am. I'm a visual person. I want to look at every single thing. One thing I admire about what his work is that even though it could be this quirky kind of funny story, there's an element of darkness to his work. And there is my few a lot of deeper meaning that can be no broken apart. And once you strip it back, all the you know, the style and the look, there's an actual message behind his behind his stuff. And I think for this one particular, I think the bit more clear than his other one. I think for me personally, as someone who studies so I could be like, Oh, I know, I kind of see what what this is. But yeah, I liked it. I really did. I'm kind of mad. That was still stuff about not speaking before, but, um, no, I think I'm happy. I got to check it out. I'd liketo

spk_0:   9:06
Yeah, I think you're really spot on in what you said about how Anderson, even so, he built this quirky were there is a darkness to it. And I guess the darkness here in this story is Zizou goes on this mission, and the mission is very vague, and it's it has these mystical qualities to it, like a shark ate his partner. This is like a toll tale, right? But I think the film digs deeper. It's something may be deeper than that about pursuing passions and how that can be constantly and you lose things. And people die in this movie, not just a man eaten by the sharks, but other people die. So it is very dark, and it is ultimately about when you have something that you just feel compelled to do. Like Steve Zizou is compelled to go on these explorations. What is the cost, and is it ultimately worse it or not? And I think he leans on that it is worth it, But it's gonna cost you, and it's gonna cost you steep,

spk_1:   10:07
right? Exactly. And it's it's this, like, you know, again the darkness of losing his friend and then kind of going through the motions of no continuing his profession but losing that passion because, you know, I mean, once you experienced that senior friend die be eaten by a shark, it's like, How do you How do you go for it? How do you motivate your crew? And so I think the kind of the beauty of it is was watching him go through the emotions and no meeting Owen Wilson's carrots here and Kate's character and getting these people who kind of who kind of challenge him in a way where he has to confront his own, You know, ego because he's a egotistical asshole and he had a kind of forced him to kind of figure out Okay, what is going on here? Who am I? And to see that transition from the from the beginning of the film to the end? Yeah, it's quite fantastic, and I think it best. One of the things with Wes Anderson's work is like there's always a journey, and whether it's ending is sad or happy. It's a journey not only visually but also just story radically. Yeah, exactly. Yeah,

spk_0:   11:19
yeah, And so this is his refund. Jack Cousteau, Who is this Marine Explorer who and when I was young growing up in Sudan. Those movies those documentaries of Jacque Cousteau played on TV all the time. So I remember him. And obviously he at least the costumes, if not the story itself. But the costumes are based on what Jack was still used to. Where did you ever see any of those TV document of Agosto?

spk_1:   11:45
You know what I did? I was weirdly obsessed, Chuck, when I was little. I don't know why I was my mom. My parents, they would no show me like the documentaries. And like, they wanted me to be super cultural and like no, a lot of information, like very obscure information. So I knew Jock when I was a kid, and I would watch his documentaries and like, if you'd asked me as a little Erica like, Oh, who's that? Like all those jocks? So you you don't know? Doctors don't even like he knows his shit like so I really liked him And you know, his passion. I think again his passion for what he did. And you know, the Earth and water. And so that was my one thing. Why? Like the film so much was the fact that they based it off of him. And, um, you know, I think so. Lovingly to like you could see that good a live care that went to making sure that it was respectful, but also, you know, taking parts of jocks career and putting into a film. So yeah, no Loves Jock? No. Great. I know. So where's a girl? He's an oceanographer. Children? No. So go.

spk_0:   12:54
It's so funny. I I love Jack, too, and he was part of my childhood, but I do not actually meet a lot of people who know him. So this is why you're the perfect guests for this For this? Yeah. And so the story part of the night of the stories that Owen Wilson plays, this guy who comes in and tells Steve Zizou that he might be his son and they immediately form this bond and they and he invites him to come on the trip together. The funniest thing in this movie to me is Willem Dafoe. He is a hoot. He's sort of play Steve Zizou, second in command. But he becomes so jealous of you and Wilson once.

spk_1:   13:33
Oh, it's so cute. It's so cute. I love that you mentioned him because again, there's so many people in this cast. I'm I'm sure it's easy to kind of be lost. But his spirit is just so cute because he's because I'm using Willem Dafoe is a you know, a certain way. And to see this kind of very kind child log jealousy to Owen Wilson, where he's just kind of like, How dare you take my love away? It was really cool just in. Funny to see. I loved it.

spk_0:   14:01
Yeah, he's He's very funny. He was my favorite performance in the film. Willem Dafoe Props to You, My Man, You are great in this film. And so when Kate comes in, is this reporter, Jane Winslett Richardson. I read one review of this, and it said it's as if her name was bringing together two acting clans. You know, the Richardsons slit? That's

spk_1:   14:23
funny. Fire one. So what happened? In your opinion, don't you think the public perception of your work is significantly altered in the last five years?

spk_0:   14:37
That's your first question. I thought this was supposed to be a puffy.

spk_1:   14:39
How do you feel about part one of your new film? I thought aspects of it seemed slightly fake.

spk_0:   14:46
Did it seem fake when my best friend was bitten in half right in front of me, then eaten alive, screaming? I think you're a think. I think you're a phony. Don't be a reporter. Does that feel? Tell me something. Does this seem fake?

spk_1:   15:07
Huh? I dare you. This entire article was my idea. No one else gives a

spk_0:   15:13
shit, but anyway, she's a reporter. She comes in to interview Steve and then sort of comes in between him and his son. They Boz starts start flirting with her, which, you know she's doing her job, but we'll let it slide. This is a quirky movie, and she sort of has a more of a connection with the younger man who is more age appropriate to her. And one of the one of the things that I really liked about this movie is that she tells the you're way too old for me and me like she

spk_1:   15:50
did. She was like, Wait, what? Are you serious? Like? Do you see your son? And I'm like, you're really surprised that I went with him? That was I love that life. She's like, you're you're you're too old. Like, why are you? Why you what? I loved it.

spk_0:   16:07
Yeah, me too. And, you know, one of the themes that came apparent as I was doing this podcast. When we talk about Kate in love stories where she gets to play the girl, she doesn't actually do it that much like in Benjamin Button or, you know, it never seems to fit her because she's just a little like carp screen persona is just a little way too smart to just play that. And I think here or what helps this performance, even though this is a small part and she is not one of the main character is what I think helps. This performance is that she fits in well within the Anderson world. Like the artificial death pan style that they all talk and sort of helps elevate this part. Because even though they give her a job and they make her pregnant in the end, her role is to just be so love interest.

spk_1:   17:01
Yeah, yeah,

spk_0:   17:02
but I think it deepens. That was with the debt pan and sort of the performance deepens it a little bit on what it could have been in lesser hands.

spk_1:   17:12
Yeah, no, I completely agree. And I listen to your podcasts just to kind of get caught up in coming to understand. And one thing you guys mention a law is the fact, you know, she doesn't play the love interest like that that much. And I was really kind of thinking about it. And I said, You know, Kate, she exudes dominance. She exudes Alfa, and I think there is that Alfa Energy. And so I think it's hard sometimes when she's matched up with another actor, another man. It's kind of like, Yes, there could be a love story, but it's for me as a audience member. It's hard, really hard for me to be like Oh, yeah, she's a submissive, you know? Oh, catch them one of faint. No. Like, you know, a woman who is just pining for a man like if anything is like No, she doesn't. You're lucky to be even cheek to consider her like, you know, I mean, like, she has his confidence where I think it's just Nah, it's Justin actually a part of her. Yeah, and so I think for that it's kind of hard to parent with other men to the point where it would be like, Okay, I can I can see this like chemistry wise. It would have to be the right actor, the right circumstance. So I totally understand that. But for this this movie, I think this is one of her, Um, how Let's just write softer rolls like she's like she's buried. She's bronze and sun kissed, and she's incredibly vulnerable, like the most vulnerable. I've seen her play in a while, and I was kind of thinking I was like she could have easily played um, Anjelica Huston's character that has the as a wife like she has, you know, the the sharpness and, you know, the deadpan and you know, the laws a fair and like she could easily have played the wife of it if if they if you really wanted to, she could have pulled it off. But I like this character because it's such a I. This thing that's so different, like she cries and she gets emotional and, you know, I know they say, Oh, Macy's because she's pregnant. Yeah, but also she fits in this world just because of the deadpan issues so quick witted, but also she doesn't because her reactions to things while everyone's kind of reacting in a very like neutral way, as Wes Anderson characters do. She's kind of one of the few characters were kind of gets really like in there more natural reaction to things that like what I would react, like That's how she reacts and it's, I don't know. I like this role for her, like, this is the first time And I mean, I don't think she and Owen will have the most amazing chemistry. But I think it was an interesting light for me to see her play this role where she is very, very soft and, you know, just know beautiful and just let no guys just kind of fight for her attention. Her love and you know she's pregnant and you know everything. So I really like this role. But interesting enough, I was. I did some research and I was watching some interviews around this time. Um, Kate was doing was talking. She was saying how she was just finishing up The Aviator when she started this. I guess they were fitting her for the pregnancy them movie, and, um, she faints. She faints while she they're putting it on only to find out that, um, she's actually actually pregnant. Oh, since he was acting pregnant and Wes Anderson was like, Oh, so your method Oh, you method method. And it was interesting because then West goes into talking about Kate specifically, and I don't think he meant to be shady when he said this, but it's kind of one. Those things where you speak your truth and just comes out shady. Oh, he said that, you know, with Kate she came prepared and she had a intellectual understanding of the material that some of the cast members didn't. And he referenced Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, who is assistant director. You're memorizing their lines, like on the fly. And so I don't think he meant that as a kind of like Oh, no, wait, whatever. But I think it's very telling how he kind of emphasized how he had a good understanding of material that may be the other Senate or a different take. And so I think again, after the E v er, doing a part like this is so all the opposite spectrum, and yet I think it just shows us her ranger rings like she can be like no again super sharp boxfish Cate Blanchett, you know, But also she can play this demure but also strong character.

spk_0:   21:51
Yeah, I really love what you said about the vulnerability that she gave to this performance because I didn't think of that. Well, I was watching it. But now when you mentioned it, looking back, she is very vulnerable in this movie, unlike any other movies while and I agree with you that she doesn't go full that pen like the rest of the cast, she gives just a slight not so that she doesn't sort of stand out. But yeah, the vulnerability is is a beautiful thing to see from her in this performance. And it does make it make her stand out, even though the role is not that big, right? Yeah. I love the scene where they It's one scene between two women which I don't think even passes the Bechdel test because Houston and flash it are basically talking about her pregnancy and the baby, the baby's father. And then they start talking about Steve. So it's all men. I mean, the baby could be a girl,

spk_1:   22:47
maybe maybe three, possibly three. But I

spk_0:   22:52
love that scene because it showed them both opening to each other, even though these two characters we only know them in the orbit of Steve. But here they are having a conversation about something that is about is Steve, but also not, and you even know what they're saying in the taxes all about Steve. You can see the connection between the two characters. That scene is where she is trying for the first time, to sort of talk about the fact that she is going to be a single mother, because when the movie starts, she's not sure she's still calling her ex to see if he will be in the baby's life. But I think by this point in the movie, she has already decided that it's just gonna be her

spk_1:   23:31
right right where she is, where she finally like, You know what this is like? This is, um, really mess of situation, and I'm going to stay with these ragtag group of weirdos and and and do my own am I do my own thing. So yeah, absolutely

spk_0:   23:51
So when I was reading reviews in my research before talking to you. There was a lot of people of critics who said that there's too much quirkiness. I mean, I think seventies a, Carrick said. And I love this. This movie is water logged with Lindsay

spk_1:   24:07
a water locked. It's brilliant. It is, really If did you feel that it's kind of hard to be like It's too much when it's like you kind of take it for what it is is like when you get Wes Anderson, you're going to get the There's probably 10 billion things going on one scene, like when you're watching Bill Murray talk, there's a whale behind him, so I'm watching. Don't worry, but also their Shamu in the background. Swimming is like, and maybe that I made it a little mouse on the floor, like there's so much going on and there's so many Easter eggs and you know, it could be exhausting if you're really kind of person. I don't want this is too much. I don't think I've ever had that criticism of him like I'm again a visual person. I love beautiful thing. I love like seeing things and watching things over and over and catching little tiny nuances, so his whimsy has never been an issue for me. However, I can completely understand why it bothers a lot of people, because again, I would. People will think. Okay, he's so focused on the visuals and just being quirky and weird that there is no substance. However, you know, I I tend to disagree. I think there is substance. I just think it takes a bit hunger to feel that other films, because again, you're looking at all these different colors and pastels and shapes. And Al, if it's that, it's kind of hard to kind of dilute it to the point where, like, okay, this is this is the bare bones of what he's trying to say.

spk_0:   25:43
Yeah, I think the movie only lost me when the Pirates came in, and then I don't know. It became like an action. They

spk_1:   25:51
are

spk_0:   25:51
pursuing the Pirates and there's an island and Dunn's and I'm like what

spk_1:   25:57
is happening? That's talent with what? It lost me, too, because I was like, we're just having a good time. Do they have a chilling, always business on the gun that people are getting hit? And I was like, What the like This is a rescue mission from for Jeff Goldblum. Like what is going on here? So I can buy That definitely did snap me out where I was like, Wait, can we go back to just the nice stuff? But yeah, I totally agree.

spk_0:   26:21
So this was with Anderson's Force film After Bottle Rocket Rush More and the Royal Town and Bombs, which was about three years before the Life Aquatic. And of course, Royal Tenenbaums was his break break out. It was well acclaimed, and people love it. People still love it. And it was the movie that sort of coalesced into. Now we have this idea sing Craddick Oh, tour with a specific style and then he fall it up that with this and it was not received a cz Well, and I don't think anybody today will say that it is their favourite Wes Anderson. What do you think? Do you do you? What is your favorite with Anderson?

spk_1:   27:04
So I'm I'm a big old sucker for moonrise Kingdom. To be honest, I I think that was just one of those films that really well, well moonrise kingdom Mr Fantastic. Mr. Fox was great too. I really like that. But I think Moonrise Kingdom was definitely one that really I just really enjoyed from beginning to end like it was just I feel like a beautiful, interesting funny film but also no very sweet and kneel, child like and innocent. And you have all these things about Wes Anderson's films to which is crazy. Come looking at this cast is like he will have the most weirdest stories with the weirdest characters. But happen most like amazing cast, like You have a list actors, people doing the like, wearing like our outfits. They're like being were being like like a boy Scout leaders like he can like. I think he has, like the sauce now where he can get any actor actress wants

spk_0:   28:04
to appear in just two scenes,

spk_1:   28:06
right to do one scene like, Hey, I just need you to um, just no, do this and you play is this weird character whatever and you know, you still been yays on this corner, but you're also a spot like it's weird, but he he has even his because his his resume isn't like that that long. However, he has no become such a all turned has made a name for himself where he can pretty much do what he wants and who do his stories and get a great cast. Go along with it.

spk_0:   28:37
Yeah, I think my favorite is the Grand Budapest Hotel, because that was a movie that is so Wes Anderson. It's exactly older things he's concerned about. It looks exactly like all his other movies. It's got his style. Debt pan. It's a quirky story, quirky characters. It's set in a strange place in another time that that it feels like sometime in the mid 20th century, early 20th century, but also feels it could be in space or in the future. And he's not specific about it. And the performances in that movie, Refined is just so amazing in that films too beautiful performance and funny and just all around Great. So I and I think all of his things sort of that he cares about and and all of his style came together so well was that film, and I think that's why it's my favorite.

spk_1:   29:32
I think if I was to introduce a Wes Anderson film to someone who had no idea who he was, what film what I show to kind of give you an idea of who he is as, ah, artists. It would be grandpa. The best host hotel like that is like you said. It has literally everything. Yes, the color is the the new ones. But also the characters in the quirkiness and also the darkness like that is there's a dark film to come out. Sashes of Mike. Okay, Yeah, absolutely. And the cast again. He worked with Willem Defoe in that too. So he and Bill Murray like it's Yeah, I definitely think that is kind of like the epitome of what a Wes Anderson film looks like. And, um, I think I think you're spot on like that. I would absolutely like here. Wash this, and you pretty much got the gist of who he is as a filmmaker.

spk_0:   30:22
And then if this person falls in love with who the past, then you can say, Well, come see ton in Bomb, See Steve Zizou Rushmore. Then you know, And then they will find the bits that they liked in these other films too. Absolutely. So this movie is sort of a blip in both careers. Like it wasn't it came off to Royal Tenenbaums and usually in a in a director's career. After your big break out the movie that everybody suddenly is that you've arrived, sir, the movie that comes after that is usually one where people are like and I don't know Did we really like you? So this

spk_1:   30:59
was a fluke. I don't really like rock with you like that. Maybe not.

spk_0:   31:04
Yeah, and I think it's also a blip in Kate's coming here because it was released the same time as The Aviator and that what's such a singular performance? And she was Oscar nominated and won the Oscar, and it was score saving, and she was playing Katherine Hepburn. And just when you compare Katharine Hepburn with Jane Winslett Richardson like, there is no competition like you're gonna talk about Kate in The Aviator.

spk_1:   31:25
Absolute. I didn't even know she was in this film, To be honest, when I saw that, the less you said I was like Wait, what life she was. I had no idea. I was like, Wait. And so yeah, yeah, with the Katharine Hepburn character like The Aviator was among Ghous like that performance, everyone was talking about it, so I'm not surprised that, uh, this role was like, you know, like, Wait, who? What should get out here? Like like no one cared. But it's one of those, like, kind of a little nuggets that you kind of look like. Oh, like, what's this like? Oh, this is actually kind of cute, Um, that you go through her film tomography to find, So I'm not surprised, but I'm you know, it's a nice little truth.

spk_0:   32:09
So who would you say is the M V P of Life Aquatic?

spk_1:   32:13
There's so many characters in that movie, my gosh. Usually there's someone who has, like like like Lilly, like back to back, like one liners like Hit After Hit, Funny, quirky or someone who has who resonator says some. That kind of defines the entire film. But in this case, I think everyone's pretty even keeled. I think Bill Murray, just because I think out of everyone he's a leader, he goes through the most, and he, you know, he is again his lead. So I guess maybe him, but no one really carries this film like everyone is just kind of doing their part, and it just kind actually fits together in this universe in this this suburb, submarine or boat or whatever. I have

spk_0:   32:57
more of a basic answer because I think it's the design it production, design and and the costume. So Mark Friedberg did the production design and the costumes is Milena Canonero, who does all of West Wes Anderson movies on. It's kind of a basic answer because Wes Anderson it looks good. It looks unique. It's designed well. Those things are are just now they're against when I think, like I just love the way the boat looks the booth. There's so many things in it and you're all we're always going from room to room from the sauna to like Cates Room Thio Here, go up, you're down on looks so exactly what? Maybe about would look like, but also completely not like what it would look like.

spk_1:   33:51
Yeah, humongous boat like that is like a humongous but never going like 12 different rooms with a sauna and a staircase like What kind of boat is this? And you're right, like there's a there's a scene, a shot where they're going through like they like. They split the boat in half and they're just going through all the different rooms. Like Oh, the star, Sana, This are our sound studio. This is our reading room. Oh, this is where they do their experiments. And it's just like you just see the levels, too, I guess the whole no business and how it is a team effort. And so I really did love that.

spk_0:   34:29
The boat is amazing.

spk_1:   34:31
Let me tell you about my boat. The Belafonte was a long range sub hunter during the Second World War, which we bought from the U. S. Navy for $900,000 was designed by an engineer from the Chinese Space Program. And we keep a Swedish masseuse on staff. Here is where we do all our different science projects and experiments. And so this is the kitchen which contains probably some of the most technologically advanced equipment on the ship. This is the observation bubble, which I thought up in a dream. Actually, I admired him for having a vision and sticking to it vision. I mean, honestly, like if you could you see an outfit and be like, oh, as a West Anderson off it like I mean a lot. A lot of Americans say that. And I think that's so cool and that he can be someone who hasn't voter who could be like Okay, I automatically know like this is his work. It's a thumbprint.

spk_0:   35:21
He is very unique in that. And he's also employees the same actors all the time. But unfortunately, Kay didn't become one of his troupe of actors because that is their only collaboration. So maybe they can do something together in the future because he did, to your point earlier, bring out a different side of her. Yeah, absolutely. So now let's talk a little bit about Kate herself. So you you've already we were talked about Lord of the Rings, And that was your first introduction to K. What's your favorite Cate Blanchett performance?

spk_1:   36:02
Ah, you know why? I was just thinking while we're talking, I also saw Kate before I ask the questions. I just realized I saw Kate play ice. I saw okay in the present in New York years ago, and I didn't realize able to Chekhov play and that it was a good for our small. It's so long. And I mean, I just again for me not not doing my research. I was like, I'm sink sink A Planchet on stage like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, of course. And so I'm like saying, Look at the run time like Wait, is that Is that right? So I have. We had the honor of seeing Cate Blanchett or a good, like, three hours on stage, but she was fantastic. So course my favorite Cade's. Ooh, well, well, I'll just say this. I'm I'm not a fan of the man who made the film but Blue Jasmine is my favorite. A Cate Blanchett's role. Um, no mention of the filmmaker starts that man, I don't know. I just really love watching like, WASPy white women just break down and do a full like spiral like it was. It's kind of like you just watcher from you know, this wealthy woman who is just in this bubble, and she's just, you know,

spk_0:   37:27
Kate is so great a spiraling and unraveling

spk_1:   37:31
so good.

spk_0:   37:32
This mood

spk_1:   37:34
is like, even see that it's high little spindles just like breaking apart like slowly. And she's so good at it, too, where she's in this bubble of delusion, where she's wealthy and she has this money And then she's living with her plea her sister, Um and you know, she's kind of, but she's dragging everyone around her with her like that. That's the thing about this film. It's so funny because she's she's no spiraling, she's drinking. She's all red eyed and kind of manic. And then she's bringing her issues onto her sister and the relationships, and it's so funny to watch because it is chaos. But she's also like, still like she doesn't lose. That elegance of glamour is just like, okay, she's just shoveled, She's drinking, she's she's kind of losing it. But she still has an element of like okay, but she still keep like, You know, I'm saying,

spk_0:   38:24
Yeah, yeah, yeah, she she's she The character is unraveling, but the actor is in control. She's in control of everything in the performance. Even so, Jasmine is in control of nothing.

spk_1:   38:36
Yes, absolutely. So I think that's again. That kind of has Kate Kate stand apart from other actors, like she just she's just has that element of confidence that sort of like she has a shit together, like even I'm sure she go. I mean realize she goes through a lot, but it's like you can't tell because you always believe that she's the the go to person that has her shit together no matter what. And I think that's why people are so drawn to her as actress, but also for her roles as well. She brings that to her rules.

spk_0:   39:13
It's such a layered performance. There's so many layers to it. It's so brilliant. I I think it's the best performance of the 20 tens. I don't think anybody has no sor topped it. It's so brilliant. Even Kate herself in Carol, which is another great performance, it is, is not as great as Blue Jasmine,

spk_1:   39:31
No blue jasmine. She just shoes without blue the water of that. I was just like, Oh my God, she's brilliant.

spk_0:   39:37
I mean, I remember the first time I watched that movie opening night in New York. It was on DDE my dole within the floor the whole time. I you know, at that point I had loved her for so many years, and I knew she could do it. But I just couldn't believe what she got to do in that performance. It's so brilliant. But in criticism there is theories that are starting emerged about the actor as oh tour, and I think you know when you think of a performance like Cates and Blue Jasmine. Yes, she might not have written it yet. She didn't maybe shouldn't direct the film, but she is the O tour of that film because the film is about the performance. And if they're if this performance is not in the film, it will not be this film,

spk_1:   40:21
right? Absolutely no absolute that. But I think that's the big thing. Like she carries that her performance carries that film, and I completely agree. Absolutely.

spk_0:   40:32
So who's your favorite Kate scene partner?

spk_1:   40:36
Um oh, God, I've gotta be Dame Judi Dench because I I love notes on a scandal. We are

spk_0:   40:43
on the same day.

spk_1:   40:43
I remember seeing that film and just being like My God, this is the messiest film I have seen. It'll while it's so good, and I I think again it's very easy for other actors to be kind of eaten up in a scene with Kate. I think she just has that natural again, that natural, um, stability, her her confidence, like it's very eat and she's again. I said, She's very Alfa. She's very dominant. And so it's very easy. We lost into Maxine, but

spk_0:   41:21
not Judy.

spk_1:   41:22
No, she's a girl. I am a classically trained I I got this intel Think

spk_0:   41:27
I'm toe to toe with the UK where you go,

spk_1:   41:30
I got you. I got his nose. I got these Devils. Like she it was such opens our story. And yet it's It's like you never felt like one was out acting other. They were both like it was

spk_0:   41:45
complimenting each other so well, yeah, absolutely.

spk_1:   41:47
It was like watching a suitable with these. Nobody's a one athletes. And you're like, Oh, my God, I don't know who's going to come out of this alive because it's like they're both going at it.

spk_0:   41:56
You gotta be really excited about notes of scandal. Now I just want to put it on and watch them and

spk_1:   42:00
get you. It's so good. Oh, guys, that you haven't seen it. Please watch. It is so messy and good. My God!

spk_0:   42:07
So I think we both want her to work with Dame Judi again. Get that done. Kay get Is there anybody else you would like to see her work with?

spk_1:   42:18
I would like to see her work with. I'm thinking broader, not just acting. I want her to be in a Steve McQueen film. Um, I am a huge seat McQueen fan, and I think Steve McQueen isn't actor's director. I think he really lets his actors do what they need to do, which is why I think he's very selective in who he who actively choose for his films. I think Kay Could could really, like, do an amazing performance. And also, visually, Steve works with the same cinematographer. I'm

spk_0:   42:53
sure Bob

spk_1:   42:54
John Bobbitt, Who am I, Who I love. I love Starr Pop. His work's beautiful, and I think she bought it. Would, you know, just make Earth look absolutely decadent and beautiful? And so I think that would be a pairing that I would person love to see.

spk_0:   43:08
Yeah, me, too. And Steve, it's so rigorous in his filmmaking, and Kate has said in interviews that she doesn't have a method and she will just adopt the mess. It of whoever she's working was. And so I would like to see her sort of work with somebody who's so rigorous and who you know he's His directing is all about the mitts on sand and about the frame and holding the long Take these airs, you know, some of his signature. So, yeah, I would love to see her work within within that framework,

spk_1:   43:39
and they're both so smart to like. As West said, she, Kate has intellectual understanding of material that maybe not that made the others may not understand. Actors may don't understand. Like when they read a script, they get one way. But Cates probably like okay, you think like 12 different layers. She was like one. So we have, like, one line, but interact like there's, like, 10 different meetings to that one line. And I think, uh, when the two intellectuals get together, I think they could make magic. I really d'oh!

spk_0:   44:11
Yeah, let's hope that happens. We're all Mr Christmas. So this season

spk_1:   44:17
I love Carol season. I look, I think it should be a national like holiday like it's not Christmas is Carol season.

spk_0:   44:24
It's Carol season. So I've been asking all my guests about what they think of Carol. I think everybody loves it. We all love that movies. People love it with such a passion. It's so comfortable, significant but tell us your feelings about Carol or just an anecdote about that film.

spk_1:   44:42
So I remember seeing care I saw on New Year's Eve. Um, I was living in Chelsea up time, and it was and it was snowing. And it wasn't that it was The lights were still after Christmas, and I had no, uh uh um the years he plans, it was like, You know what? I'm just gonna go see this movie. Carol. Airman's loving about it. I was so see it and it's I I heard. So I heard you were raving about it. And I always say, OK, I'll see for myself and again I think I spent about two monks raving about just the codes. Such beautiful eyes. I need every single coat in that film. So a fashion aside, I I love I'm a sucker for a period piece. Um, I like films that tackle that era specifically because it's such a very WASPy white washed version of it was in 19 fifties, right?

spk_0:   45:43
Yeah, early 18 fifties,

spk_1:   45:44
right. So I think like revolutionary road, I think of like though that time here were, you know Oh, a man and wife were supposed to be a wife and husbands was a certain kind of way, you know, respectable. The husband goes to work and the wife stays home and no fixed here for the kids. And that was just how it waas. And then, you know, in between they have a cute little party that entertain guests. And that was just how it waas. And it seems like

spk_0:   46:08
you're talking about far from him.

spk_1:   46:10
I just I'm just I'm just Children Generally, that's like That's like How? Yeah, probably. But I think that I don't know that this that film Carol, the way that it was shot the wave, the subtlety of that film in the wings. It's all about looks and the glances and a feld's riel it built authentic and the build up to their relationship. It's so the movement of it, the pace of it in Mae's sense. So what happens? You're like, OK, I totally buy this and how it totally kind of rupture is this very 19 fifties struck 1950 structure, because I mean, I I'm just I don't see a lot of films during that time period that really discussed LGBT Q. And that's sort of the you know, the secrecy of it and how you know you would have, you know, two men or two women living together. And it was kind of one of those things where it's not talked about in public. But it's implied. And so, um, I just thought it was such a Is it a beautifully shot film? And I remember from Gorgeous and I mean I if there's someone who doesn't like it, I haven't met him yet because there's always something. And, K, it's just again. She is just pure elegance, like This is a peak, Kate, this is my wife. People like, kind of know her office, Carol and why it's such a big deal. It's because she is truly in her element. Like is absolutely unshakable. She is completely in control and you know

spk_0:   47:53
it. Also giving. She is doing this tile eyes performance, but also it's so deeply felt and so, really, even though she is, she is playing Carol the character, but she's playing the way to raise Cease Carol at the same time. It's so it's just such such beautiful work. And Carol,

spk_1:   48:13
it is it absolutely s Oh yes, Happy Carol season. Everyone, you know, get your gifts. Say

spk_0:   48:20
I get those coats if you can.

spk_1:   48:22
If you really want to celebrate, get you a cute peacoat and walk around and be your best self.

spk_0:   48:28
Thank you so much, Erica. This was such a pleasure to talk to you about life Aquatic and Kate, it's You were brilliant. Guess you have to come back.

spk_1:   48:38
I'm so happy I chose this film because I get I saw the West and I was like, You know what? Let me give it a shot And it's, you know, another notch in Cates Bells where she's just no playing another role That's so interesting. So thank you so much for having me.

spk_0:   48:53
Oh, you're welcome. And before we go, tell our listeners where they can find you and your work.

spk_1:   48:59
Oh, so you can find me on Twitter. I am at B N Y c film chick Um, and you can follow me on Instagram, which is at Erica Underscore Man 10. And that's Man M A and M 10 and air currency.

spk_0:   49:16
Thank you so much and you can find me on Twitter at m e, Underscore says, and follow the podcast on Twitter and Instagram at Sunday's Kate. And until next time, thank you for listening