In person, John Hawkes is a really nice guy.
But, on screen, and specifically on screen inMartha Marcy May Marlene,hes not very nice.
Yet Hawkes doing not nice still carries a magnetism that few other actors could pull off.
He can even carry a tune, as witnessed when his Patrick serenades Martha, acoustic-style.
You actually recorded it for an MTV slot, is that right?
But I think it came out okay.
It did, its a beautiful song.
It is a great song.
But in the context of the film, its a beautiful song but with an added…
It feels like thats where its power lies.
I think, What was that from?
Oh, my God, thats the movie I was in.
Is that something that jumps out of the script, then?
Or does it come out when youre shooting?
And you kind of get to play on that here.
Its a fascinating tightrope walk you do, where youre really charming but also incredibly scary.
I wanted to see more of you, but as soon as youre on screen its quite unsettling.
How do you approach playing that?
Yeah, well… you know, if hes charming it was for good reason.
And theres a real balance in the film of your performance, the sound track and the camera work.
They all seem to coalesce to make the situation what it was.
Is that something you discussed with Sean?
Its a bit of a tightrope walk there.
But I was surprised at the way they shot it.
But this movie wasnt shot that way.
And sometimes youd finish a scene…
I know a couple of actors like myself would be like, So what else?
And they would say, We got it!
And Id say, Well, it was just over my shoulder the whole time.
And theyd say, Yeah.
And there is something really freeing about that, as well.
And I thought they were just hugely effective in watching the movie.
I still dont really understand it or understand lenses, so I kind of like the mystery.
I guess I had a sense something special was happening but I couldnt really tell what.
And was it a tough film to shoot?
Not just physically it looked as cold asWinters Bonein certain scenes but in terms of getting the balance right.
I think so, I think they all are.
Its a tough balance on some level, but again you just attempt to serve the story.
They are a kind of a break, I guess.
But they all have their challenges and theyre all different.
So if you might begin there then you have a chance, I think, to make something good.
John Hawkes, thank you very much!
Martha Marcy May Marlene is released on Friday 3rd February.
