Mary-Louise Parker
Interview By: Rocco Passafuime
RoccoPassafuime@TheCinemaSource.com
Mary-Louise Parker is an acclaimed actress of three mediums: film, TV, and theater. She’s won a Tony for the Broadway musical Proof, an Emmy and Golden Globe for her role in the HBO miniseries Angels In America, and another Golden Globe for her popular role as pot dealer Nancy Botwin on the hit Showtime comedy-drama Weeds.
Parker’s newest role is as mother Helen Grace in the film adaptation of the popular children’s book series The Spiderwick Chronicles. While most actors tend to be a bit reluctant to play roles that are second-fiddle to young children, Mary-Louise, when she discussed the film with us, said she was eager to do the film and not just because she happens to be a fairly newly-minted mother herself.
“I am a mother and I think what drew me to this movie was the fact she’s really part of the struggle with the family,” she says, “And I think what makes the end resonate when they unite together is the fact that she is struggling, too.”
“I think if she was some sort of picture of perfection and she’s sort of joined in the struggle, then I wouldn’t think it would really be quite as poignant,” Parker continues, “But I think because she’s trying so hard to keep everything together and she’s resisting them and resisting them and when she does give in, I think that’s what made it kind of sweet. I like that she’s really trying so hard and then, in the end, she really bonds with her kids in the purest way.”
The now-43-year-old actress says she was also impressed with the depth of the story itself, despite her initial lack of familiarity with the books themselves.
“It’s interesting,” Mary-Louse notes, “The characters are finely drawn. It’s an interesting dynamic. The characters, certainly with the daughter and the mother, I mean the daughter fences. It’s so random and specific and grace.”
“I actually had bought one of
One of the tougher aspects of playing a role in such a deeply special-effects-driven film like Spiderwick is the constant interaction with CGI. The actors often had to interact with mere objects like tennis balls as stand-ins for the more animated characters. For the Tony and Emmy winner, the actress says such a task has the odd double-edged sword of both being fun and complex.
“That, it was more fun to play, but it was harder to play because obviously, I’m not looking at anything,” Parker believes, “But it’s more fun to get to play that moment when she does because you’re seeing things that no human ever could or would ever see, so how to play that was a really fun challenge. It was the hard part, but it was also the fun part. It’s just all the CGI and the green screen that presents its own funny little challenge of working with little plastic people that aren’t there. It’s just its own challenge.”
Parker even has a rather intriguing analogy with which to explain to us what such a process is comparable to.
“It’s like going to work with an actor that’s not that great, but times 50,000, because you can always project something,” she claims, “Say someone is not trying that hard or they’re not having their best day, or not to be mean, because sometimes people are just not into it or they don’t like the project or they can’t connect to that actor.”
“The two of you just don’t have something that you could project
Taking center stage in Spiderwick are in fact children. They consist of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and August Rush star Freddie Highmore and Irish actor Sarah Bolger, best known for her roles in In America and Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker.
When asked about her experience working with the both of them, Parker shared plenty of praise for both her young co-stars. First, she spoke of her working with Highmore.
“I think [Freddie's] a smart kid and so professional and so bright that I’m sure he made everyone else feel like everything’s going to be fine and he’s not cocky at all either,” Parker says, “I think he just works so hard and is so committed that he just makes everyone think that he can do it and he really can.”
“He was doing things that were slightly out of his wheelhouse,” she says, “He’s a very elegant, dignified, intelligent young adult, but he’s English trying to play this troubled American and he does it so well. I think there’s a lot he can do.”
Then, the actress spoke of her experience with Bolger.
“I thought [Sarah's] so fantastic, that girl,” Parker recalls, “I never seen anyone burst into tears when you tell her she has to go home. She loves to work. She loves to be on the set. It could be 12:30 at night and two degrees outside and you tell her she has to go home and her eyes fill up. She’s just like, ‘Is there anything else I have to do?’ I’m like, Sarah, don’t you want to go to sleep, and she’s like, no, I just love being on a film set, I just love it.”
However, this has also been a time where seemingly too many
“No, and I mean that as a compliment, because he is not polished and he is not slick, he’s not like a little mini-adult,” she replies, “He’s such a lack of ego, he and Sarah both, and they’re so unsophisticated in the best possible way. And at the same time, they both have this lovely elegance about them, without being posh or sophisticated or in a way that’s creepy that sometimes kid actors can be. Those kids are so great. And I often find it really sad for child actors. You really worry about them for good reason.”
Mary-Louise Parker has much to look forward to. She’s continuing to work on new episodes for Weeds after Lions Gate had already made a deal in the midst of the writers’ strike. As we ended , the actress, despite being immensely proud of her work, claims she has not seen the final cut of Spiderwick.
“I haven’t seen it,” Mary-Louise says, “I usually don’t see the movies that I’m in, but this one I am going to see at some point.”
whoah this blog is great i really like studying your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You realize, a lot of people are searching around for this information, you could help them greatly.
amazing, awesome article. Thanks Once again. Cool.
Heya! This is the fourth time visiting now and I just wanted to say I truley fancy reading your weblog. I decided to bookmark it at reddit.com with your title: Mary-Louise Parker Interview for Spiderwick Chronicles | The Cinema Source and your Website address: http://www.thecinemasource.com/blog/interviews/mary-louise-parker-interview-for-spiderwick-chronicles/. I hope this is all right with you, I’m trying to give your terrific blog a bit more exposure. Be back soon.
Vielen Dank fuer den Beitrag. Echt toll verfasst.
I got that which you designate, thanks for putting up. Woh We are glad to encounter this website through yahoo. Thanks Pertaining to Share Khmer Karaoke Superstars » Somnangblogs.
:O So mush Data :O … THis Is he MOst AMAzing SIte DUDe… :D http://www.mytramping.com
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So iˇ¦m happy to exhibit that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make sure to donˇ¦t forget this site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
Ha ha… I was just online around and took a glimpse at these feedback. I can’t believe there’s still this much fascination. Thanks for crafting articles about this.
I was looking for this fantastic sharing admin very much thanks and have great running a blog bye
Terrific post admin thank you. I found what i used to be trying to find here. I will review complete of posts in this evening
An challenging language may be valued at mention. I expect that you should pen more with this issue, it mightiness not be considered a prejudice problem but mostly people are not sufficiency for you to mouth in such matters. To the succeeding. Cheers such as your Khmer Karaoke Superstars.
Spot on using this type of write-up, I really assume this site wants rather more consideration. I’ll most likely be again you just read rather much more, thanks with the info.
Danke für deinen grossartigen Artikel. Ich fand den Beitrag echt interessant, du bist ein guter Blogger. Ich speichere mir die Seite und werde sicher noch mal vorbeisehen. Immer weiter so so und eine schoene Woche noch!
I’ve recently started a web site, and the info you offer on this site has helped me a lot. Thanx for all of your time & work.
Only any smiling visitant here to express the love (#(#(:, btw spectacular style. He which will not reason can be a bigot he who cannot is often a fool and also he which dares not can be a slave. by Sir William Drummond.
Great information for inexperienced persons to resolve which affiliate affords to promote to make most profits. I at all times learn lots from your posts. Thanks. http://www.myfishinginsider.com
I have discovered that smart real estate agents all over the place are getting set to FSBO Advertising and marketing. They are acknowledging that itís more than merely placing a sign post in the front area. Itís really regarding building relationships with these retailers who later will become consumers. So, when you give your time and energy to encouraging these retailers go it alone ñ the ìLaw associated with Reciprocityî kicks in. Good blog post.
Really impressed! Everything is extremely, very crystal clear, open is really a description in the problem. It offers the information. I desired to tell you that I connected to your site which has a dofollow back links so visitors can come to see your site. It is all very a new comer to me and also this article actually opened my eyes, and I suppose since I prefer reading your site, others will certainly too. You will find the connect to your site here:
As soon as I found this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Is that all? Can many of us talk SEO now?
i bookmarked you in my browser admin thank you so much i will be trying to find your following posts
I must show my personal trainer this. He will enjoy it. Thanks for that brilliant submit.
Sorry for the huge review, but I’m really loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
I prefer this post lots. I will surely come back. Hope we are able to discover more helpful posts then. Will be sharing knowing wonderful my associates!
You really make it seem very easy with the presentation but I find this matter to get actually an issue that I think I’d never recognize. It seems too complicated and very broad to me. I am looking forward for the following post, I will endeavour to have the hang of it!
The length of time provides this great site been recently jogging. It has a lot of articles currently. By the way and in addition nice post!
I usually do not believe the particular book will unquestionably drop towards eReader when soon. The odor of the fresh newsletter is something a fantastic eReader cannot reproduce.
Internet marketing grateful for the website. Significantly thanks once again. Significantly required.
quite good post, i without doubt adore this kind of exceptional web site, carry onto it
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thx again
Advertise something of ‘value’ and you may even flip a merchandising into ‘content’ :) I have heard the 90/10 rule works best, however the point is, whether or not its 80/20 or ninety/10 or seventy five/25 doesn’t subject as much as how VALUABLE is the CONTENT you’re turning in :-) In case you comply with ninety nine/1 and your 99% content is irrelavant, untimely, and simply undeniable worthless on your readership, you really don’t have a ninety nine/1 ratio ;-) http://www.techrentals.getlisted.co.nz/thermal-imaging-camera-cost
You made a few just right factors there. I did a seek on the subject and located most individuals will agree with your blog. http://www.techrentals.getlisted.co.nz/thermal-imaging-camera-cost
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now.
I live and work in woolacombe in North Devon
My partner and I stumbled over here different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.
I’m really inspired together with your writing skills as neatly as with the format on your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you modify it your self? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to look a great weblog like this one these days.
But wanna input on few general things, The website design is perfect, the subject material is real superb : D.
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
I required for this website article admin truly thanks i’ll look your next sharings i bookmarked your blog
Excellent write-up, I feel normal customer of a single? azines site, sustain the wonderful operate, also this? azines apt to be a standard website visitor for some time.? Our own views usually do not genuinely flower in to fruition right up until finally we’ve expressed the theifs to someone different.? by simply Mark Twain.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site :)
Howdy We are so happy I discovered your site, I really found an individual by error, while My partner and i was seeking on Aol for something more important, Anyways We are here today and would exactly like to give you thanks for the marvelous post and a all circular interesting website (My partner and i also love the theme/design), I don’t possess time to endure it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and in addition included the RSS feeds, so once i have time I am back to read a lot more, Please do maintain the amazing job.
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this.
excellent issues altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What may you suggest about your submit that you just made a few days in the past? Any positive?
Keep up the excellent work, I read few articles on this web site and I conceive that your web blog is real interesting and contains circles of great information.
Simply wanna input which you have a very decent web page, I such as the pattern promoted stands out and about.
Thnx much for this particular! My spouse and i haven’t previously been this particular enthusiastic because of a blog post for quite a while! You’ve gotten the idea, just about anything virtually for writing. Good, That you’re surely some people that have a problem to convey we will need to listen to. Continue the particular fantastic activity. Continue to impressing folks!
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!
Utterly pent written content, regards for information. “You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it.” by Samuel Butler.
I tried to submit a opinion earlier, although it has not revealed up. I will remember this.
I used to be curious about your up coming submit admin definitely necessary this blog super remarkable blog
great factors altogether, you simply gained a whole new reader. What do you recommend regarding your post which you made several days ago? Any positive?
I am impressed with this site, real I am a fan.
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
Panela@yahoo.com
Hi. I saw a few error messages in your site. Should I explain you what’s wrong so that you can fix it? Thanks – Paula Hospedagem
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
I was just searching for this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list.
magnificent points altogether, you simply won a new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your publish that you made some days in the past? Any positive?
Very fascinating info! Perfect what exactly I was looking for! Outside of your dog, a guide is man’s companion. Inside of your dog it’s too dark you just read. by Groucho Marx.
Thanks on your assist! https://www.lifereader.co.uk/psychics/free_psychic_chat
I’m really enjoying the look and layout of the site. It’s an extremely easy on the eyes rendering it much more enjoyable for me to come here as well as visit more regularly. Did a person hire away a designer to create your design? Exceptional function!
Virtually every one of whatever anyone articulate will be supprisingly appropriate and that makes us ponder exactly why I hadn’t viewed this with this particular light earlier. This content really would turn the actual light on for me personally as far as this distinct topic should go. However at this time there is just one factor I will be not genuinely too warm with therefore while I try and reconcile that using the main thought of the situation, allow us see what other subscribers ought to say. Nicely done.
What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are now not actually much more neatly-preferred than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably when it comes to this subject, made me individually imagine it from so many various angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated until it¡¦s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. All the time deal with it up!
Hello. Great job. I did not count on this on a Wednesday. This can be a great story. Thank you! http://www.kiwielectricalheatpumps.co.nz/
Even though output trials are yet to given a good amount of proof, the rumors are fabulous even so.
Great article! I loved the insight and advice given. Additionally, your blogging style is very fun to read.