"Weisz was a real lucky stroke for me," Foley says, adding, "She had to be believable as this tough talking broad who takes care of herself. On the other hand, she had to have a kind of vulnerability."
Here's what the talented British actress had to say about working on "Confidence" and working with director James Foley. Weisz also provides a few details on a couple of her other upcoming film projects:
Are you playing a con on the audience?
When you're acting in a movie, you feel like you’re playing a con on the audience. Actors are con men and con men are actors. We’re first cousins, I think. You may be playing a character who’s acting but then people act, you're going to be completely different when you’re with your loved ones or your families. Right now we’re doing 'people at a press junket.' We’re behaving in that way. We all act at a time, so it’s part of being a character, acting.
Were the others cast when you got the part?
No, when I agreed to do it - well, when Jamie said I could be in it - he was directing and Ed [Burns] was in it. I was very excited about both of those people. Then my agent called me and said Dustin Hoffman is going to be in it. [That's just] an incredible group. So, no, I didn’t know.
What was it like working with James Foley?
He’s a card. He’s actually really one of my favorite people. He’s very passionate about what he does and the atmosphere that he creates on the set is one of a lot of passion. Everyone’s at liberty to behave how they like. He’s the craziest person there, so you don’t feel crazy trying stuff out.
Crazier than Dustin’s character?
He’s much less violent. In fact, he’s not violent at all. I would say he’s as crazy as Dustin’s character without being evil and violent. He’s wild, so he creates a very libertarian kind of atmosphere where you feel like you can do whatever you want and not be criticized. So, he’s a great joy. He’s very smart. He’s got a great sense of style.
Was it fun to be a redhead?
Well, the thing about having your hair a different color is that it doesn’t change your DNA. It’s how people respond to you, I guess. I didn’t notice anything particularly different about being red. I’ve been platinum blonde.
Did you have fun?
No. Guys [just gawk]. They just have some Pavlovian response to it.
Was it flattering to be cast as the babe?
Yes, very. I don’t know how to elaborate on that. It was very flattering.
You were a babe in "The Mummy" movies.
No. Was she a babe? I thought she was a librarian. Oh, was she a babe librarian? Yeah, it was like a Hollywood librarian. When I went to the audition for that, I went with my hair sprayed back with glasses, and Steve Sommers, the director, was like, "Could you maybe take your hair down?" [I said,] "I thought she was a librarian." "It’s a Hollywood librarian."
What movie role is most like yourself?
On the whole, I’ve almost never played anyone who’s remotely like me because I always thought what’s the point to just be yourself? I guess the character in "About a Boy" was just me. It wasn’t like a character part. It wasn’t a character study. I was just me. I’m not a single mom, so it was different in that respect. It’s all a lie. Everything’s a lie. None of it exists.
NEXT PAGE: Rachel Weisz on "Envy," "Runaway Jury," and Neil LaBute
