Sleuth - Interviews
Sleuth, starring Jude Law and Michael Caine, opens October 12th, 2007, to theaters everywhere. A beautifully fun little movie about two men who fight a game of wits to the death over the love of a woman named Maggie (who never appears in the movie), Sleuth is the answer to the recent barrage of thrillers involving much action, but little or no suspense or mystery. Sleuth is a remake of a film made in 1972, which starred Michael Caine as “Milo” and Laurence Olivier as “Andrew”. Today, Caine plays the role made famous by Olivier and Law, as he did in the remake of Alfie, plays the role originated by Caine. Law also serves as the film’s producer. Playwright and screenwriter Harold Pinter wrote this version of the script. Michael Caine, in his interview with Bellaonline.com about this film, is as charming and attractive as he ever was, with piercing blue eyes and a manner so aristocratic and yet funny. Both Kenneth Branagh and Michael Caine have arrived at the interview wearing sharp black shirts and suits with ties.
Michael Caine and Jude Law in "Sleuth", (C) Sony Pictures
“I was fascinated by whole idea from the start,” says Michael Caine, “but especially when I saw the Pinter script. Although the basic plot is the same and the title is the same, Pinter’s writing is so completely different from Anthony Schaffer’s. It’s not the same movie.”
Kenneth Branagh, the actor/director mostly known for his Shakespeare adaptations, directs the film. “My manager called me one day, “ says Branagh, “and said ‘There’s a new version of Sleuth which Jude Law is producing and Michael Caine will appear in and the new version has been written by Harold Pinter. That seemed like a very exciting combination of people.”
The story itself revolves around the fact that Maggie, Andrew’s wife, has left him for Milo. Andrew resolves to “discuss” this with Milo and invites him to his house, which is amazingly large and high-tech, complete with security computers and crisp, white décor. What happens next is a really intense confrontation between two men who like to battle out their differences with their intellect and wit rather than their fists. And, of course, there is always the possibility of crime and murder.
Michael Caine, Jude Law, and Kenneth Branagh on the set of "Sleuth", (C) Sony Pictures
“On one level, I suppose you could say Sleuth is two guys in a room – it’s not really, but it might seem that way…there is something very primal and atavistic about it”, says Branagh. “A kind of visceral quality of combat. There’s a strong sense of the sexual passion of these two men of their physical strength channeled through this superficial attempt to be civilized. It’s conversational sparring laced with such charged meaning and cruelty that makes it riveting.”
But did making a remake of a film he was in affect how Michael Caine looked at the material?
“I haven’t seen Sleuth since I made it, and I didn’t look backwards on it at all, “ he says. “But I remember that Olivier played it – and played it fantastically- as this very dangerous eccentric. I’m playing it based on the syndrome of morbid jealousy so while Larry was a dangerous eccentric, I am a murderous psychotic. Larry was probably more fun and this is quite a bit scarier.”
About his costar, Caine says, “I’ll wager that this is the best performance Jude’s ever given. We’ve been friends for a while in spite of our age difference and I’ve always liked him as an actor but he’s really surprised even me”.
About the interesting look of the film, the colors and the sharp angular house, Branagh says this, “When a great explosion of jealousy occurs, green dominates as a color. When a great explosion of revenge occurs, a great wash of red completely changes things. Suddenly you’re in a hellish, Don Giovanni world.”
To add, Caine says, “In the first Sleuth, my character lived in a lovely old English country house, you went inside and there was a lovely English country interior, all chintz curtains and cushions and sofas and flowers. Here is a lovely old English country house but you go inside and it’s steel, glass, marble, and concrete.”
The feel of the film, as well as the dialogue, is a much more intense, scarier, and updated version of the original Sleuth, and is definitely one NOT to miss for any mystery film fan.
Michael Caine and Jude Law in "Sleuth", (C) Sony Pictures
“I was fascinated by whole idea from the start,” says Michael Caine, “but especially when I saw the Pinter script. Although the basic plot is the same and the title is the same, Pinter’s writing is so completely different from Anthony Schaffer’s. It’s not the same movie.”
Kenneth Branagh, the actor/director mostly known for his Shakespeare adaptations, directs the film. “My manager called me one day, “ says Branagh, “and said ‘There’s a new version of Sleuth which Jude Law is producing and Michael Caine will appear in and the new version has been written by Harold Pinter. That seemed like a very exciting combination of people.”
The story itself revolves around the fact that Maggie, Andrew’s wife, has left him for Milo. Andrew resolves to “discuss” this with Milo and invites him to his house, which is amazingly large and high-tech, complete with security computers and crisp, white décor. What happens next is a really intense confrontation between two men who like to battle out their differences with their intellect and wit rather than their fists. And, of course, there is always the possibility of crime and murder.
Michael Caine, Jude Law, and Kenneth Branagh on the set of "Sleuth", (C) Sony Pictures
“On one level, I suppose you could say Sleuth is two guys in a room – it’s not really, but it might seem that way…there is something very primal and atavistic about it”, says Branagh. “A kind of visceral quality of combat. There’s a strong sense of the sexual passion of these two men of their physical strength channeled through this superficial attempt to be civilized. It’s conversational sparring laced with such charged meaning and cruelty that makes it riveting.”
But did making a remake of a film he was in affect how Michael Caine looked at the material?
“I haven’t seen Sleuth since I made it, and I didn’t look backwards on it at all, “ he says. “But I remember that Olivier played it – and played it fantastically- as this very dangerous eccentric. I’m playing it based on the syndrome of morbid jealousy so while Larry was a dangerous eccentric, I am a murderous psychotic. Larry was probably more fun and this is quite a bit scarier.”
About his costar, Caine says, “I’ll wager that this is the best performance Jude’s ever given. We’ve been friends for a while in spite of our age difference and I’ve always liked him as an actor but he’s really surprised even me”.
About the interesting look of the film, the colors and the sharp angular house, Branagh says this, “When a great explosion of jealousy occurs, green dominates as a color. When a great explosion of revenge occurs, a great wash of red completely changes things. Suddenly you’re in a hellish, Don Giovanni world.”
To add, Caine says, “In the first Sleuth, my character lived in a lovely old English country house, you went inside and there was a lovely English country interior, all chintz curtains and cushions and sofas and flowers. Here is a lovely old English country house but you go inside and it’s steel, glass, marble, and concrete.”
The feel of the film, as well as the dialogue, is a much more intense, scarier, and updated version of the original Sleuth, and is definitely one NOT to miss for any mystery film fan.
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