MELISSA McCARTHY ('Nico/Goth Girl')
Can you talk about your experience working on this film?
It was fantastic. Alan Parker directing an amazing script. The cast that's in the film... I don't know what else you could have asked for - except I would have liked a scene with each person. I [was in scenes with] Kate Winslet and Gabriel [Mann], which was fantastic. It was fun even the subject matter was at times kind of tough, they still managed to keep a light, fun set. There's not a lot more you can ask for.
And playing the goth girl, was that a stretch for you?
Strangely, I was really gothic in high school so it was very familiar to me. I fear that a lot of people would see me who haven't seem me since high school and think, "Oh my God, she hasn't changed at all." It's real embarrassing; I still don't dress like that, it was just for the movie. My mom has seen it all - the piercings and the craziness - and I think she's glad I didn't stick with it.
How long did it take you to get dressed for this role?
The first time it took about 5 or 6 hours to get into the braids and the dreads, and then I just kept it on the whole time, which was interesting to walk around like that. People give you some looks.
Your character keeps trying to take her clothes off, but never gets to. Did you enjoy playing that angle of the character?
I did (laughing). I absolutely did. It was such a fun thing to do especially when there's no risk of how far it's going to go. If he would have let me, I guess I would have had to keep going. It was really fun to kind of spread that energy around.
How do you think the people of Texas will respond to the film?
I think it will play well. No matter how strongly you feel, you kind of watch it, just being the subject matter that it is. I think either side could go and fight against it or fight for it. Even the film itself I feel kind of leaves it up to be like, "Well, what would you do?" It comes down to the situational circumstance. Each situation is different and even when you think you know, maybe you don't depending on every little detail. That will be interesting to see.
What attracted you to this character?
I think anyone who moves in and can live in such a solitary way, such a bizarre kind of way [is interesting]. There's just nothing 'normal' about her, which is great. It's fascinating to see her even with all the norms and how you're supposed to do living, [she lives] exactly how she sees fit. Then you have to figure out why.
Did you figure out why she lives this way?
You always figure out your own backstory. Everyone's perception of that will be different, which is kind of fun.
What was the most difficult moment of filming?
Actually getting the dreadlocks and the braids. I think just the subject matter is not too difficult but it took a whole different kind of focus. It's not the most light-hearted subject matter, and she was such a dark person to begin with. Just staying in that space for the whole time was a different thing to do.
What do you hope audiences will get from the film?
I just hope they think about it. I think no one is trying to say one side or the other [is right], I think it's just good to promote conversation. I think it's good because you start thinking like, “Maybe I don't have a specific opinion but maybe each situation needs to be judged on its own merit.”
