Matt Damon
Interview By: Stephen Snart
StephenSnart@TheCinemaSource.com
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Matt Damon skyrocketed to the top of Hollywood based on his considerable acting talent and his effortless affability. Exceedingly charming both on-screen and off, Damon became a household name with golden-boy roles in films like Rounders, Saving Private Ryan, Stuck on You and particularly the rough-edged but warm-hearted Will Hunting in his breakout film, Good Will Hunting. He also received much praise for his villainous turn as a social-climbing sociopath in The Talented Mr. Ripley and after earning blockbuster success with his role as the cold and brutal assassin in The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, Damon has solidified his screen presence to be quite diverse. Now, he's entering some of his darkest territory yet with his role as Collin Sullivan, a corrupt cop in Martin Scorsese's gritty new film, The Departed.
The film, a remake of the Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs, tells a tale of immense corruption and deceit within the Boston Police Department. It's a virtual dream project for Damon, appealing to him on a number of levels, beginning with the source material. 'I loved the Hong Kong version, I thought it was fantastic.' Damon was also excited about screenwriter William Monahan's updates to the original script by Felix Chong and Siu Fai Mak, most notably the shift in location to Damon's hometown of Boston. 'It's about such a different culture. Boston is a very different city, even from any other city here in America. The structure was used from the Hong Kong version but the world that Bill built around it is very specific to Boston.'
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Departed (and Infernal Affairs) is the ease with which it blurs the line between criminal and cop. There are no clear-cut outlines between good and bad in either film. When asked about the similarities between his role of Collin Sullivan and co-star Leonardo DiCaprio's Billy Costigan, Damon responds, 'Leo and I both felt they were both these incredible roles, and speaking for him, I think we would have played either one and been happy to play him. Now that we did it this way, we're happy that's the way it worked out cuz I can't imagine playing the other one now!'
Damon still marvels over the character complexities found in the film. 'It's really rare in a film of this budget, to have characters that are this interesting. Generally, the bigger the budget, the less interesting the characters become. All of us had real things to play, so that's a real credit to Bill Monahan and his script. To be able to have that much to do when you go to work every day was really great. And then we also, you know, heard the director had done a good movie here and there,' he adds facetiously.
As with any actor working today, the opportunity to work with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese immediately enticed Damon to commit to the film. Although, the person who first got Damon involved in the project was his Ocean's 11 co-star Brad Pitt. 'Brad came to me cuz his company [Plan B Entertainment] had access and' it's like the dream of all dreams: 'Hey did you hear Martin Scorsese is directing a movie about Boston'' And then I got a copy of script and loved it. When I came back to New York I met with Marty but I think I'd already agreed. You know, most of these things are usually contingent on a meeting' I didn't even try to be cool I was just like, 'Well I'm in!' I'll go meet him whenever he wants. It was a very easy yes with me.'
Another element of incentive for Damon was the addition of his other high-profile co-star, 12-time Oscar nominee Jack Nicholson. As with anyone who seems to work with Nicholson, Damon came away with some great stories about the actor. 'The first day I worked with [Jack], he had been working with Leo for about a week, so I had the week off. It's Sunday night and I'm looking over the script and I get a phone call, 'Matt, it's Marty' the director.' I love that he always says, Marty the director.' Damon continues in a flattering impression of the great auteur, 'A funny thing has happened and Jack has had some ideas for the scene tomorrow. OK I'll just get to it, Jack's gonna wear a dildo.' And so I thought, 'Oh alright, I'll see you at 7.''
'The next day we went in and rehearsed it and Jack's like, [Damon begins a Nicholson impression] 'Here's the deal. I'm gonna come in. I'm gonna sit there in the overcoat and then I'm gonna turn around, I'll pull out the dildo and we're gonna laugh! I thought well that's actually a really good idea, it's a funny way to get into the scene' Jack really brought this incredible, new layer to that character. He made him more obscene basically, but in a way that felt authentic.'
Authenticity is a quality Scorsese has strived for in all his films and The Departed is no exception. 'Marty uses a lot of real people to make it more authentic.' Scorsese also emphasizes the importance of research, something that Damon greatly appreciated, 'Leg work beforehand so that when we show up the process is smooth and believable.' Thanks to the production's high-profile ties, Damon was able to get first-hand experience with the Boston Police Department. 'You ever see the movie, The Hard Way with Michael J. Fox'' the grinning actor puts forth. 'That was me. 'Hey guys do I get a gun'' Absolutely not, shut up.'
Damon's roots came in handy when preparing for the role, 'I had a real advantage in that I'm from Boston, so I didn't have to learn an accent or do anything like that, I got to skip straight to investigating the sub-culture of state police. What I knew of the state police was limited to the times I'd been pulled over on the pike for speeding. To get in there and really see what these guys do was great. Anytime you get access like that is really the most interesting part of this job, of acting. Because it's your own time and it's months ahead of time and there's no pressure on you. Once you get on a film set, the clock is ticking' every minute costs a lot of money. But when you're researching you can go at your own pace. So I spent a lot of time with these guys, just soaking it in. Not having to have a goal specifically, just starting to pick things up.' Damon even got the opportunity to ride along with the Boston police on a drug bust. 'I'm sure I was in no real danger, they brought twice as many cops as they normally do on those raids and I was in the back of the line with my bulletproof vest on standing there going, 'What am I doing here''' What is he doing' Working with the most respected American director alive today and two of the top actors in the field. Damon has effortlessly climbed the ladder of fame and fortune but has managed to keep himself grounded and humble thanks to his ever-present sense of humor.
