I interviewed Alfred Molina for his part in Bryce Dallas Howard's short, "Orchids," in the upcoming Palm Springs ShortFest.
You know him, you love him: The Hoax, Spider-Man 2, Frida, Raiders of the Lost Ark (that's right -- he's the "No time to argue. Throw me idol, I'll throw you the whip." fella that gets impaled).
I gotta tell ya, Alfred's one nice guy. Very generous with his time, very eloquent, very smart. He'll be starring in an HBO production of As You Like It with Howard directed by one of my favorite actor/directors, Kenneth Branagh (premiering Aug.21). Though shot in England, the setting was moved to Japan, which should add a new source of beauty.
Regarding their theatrical backgrounds, Molina said, "It helps you bond in a way. The similar tradition provides a shorthand from common experience that binds you. It's a clichéd remark that you all speak the same language, but it does help. Not that it would hinder you if don’t have that background, but any kind of commonality helps."
Molina's been chums with Branagh for quite a few years, and was a bit nervous playing the part that Branagh played on stage (Touchstone, the court fool), but flattered he was given the role. "Ken's a very humble man and refused to tell me how to play it."
"Ken has a repertory company of actors, and when it comes to Shakespeare, he’s the boss. He’s carved out unique place in this field, and his approach is very innovative. Ken treats the material with great respect but sheds a new light on it. It was a real treat to be involved in it."
Regarding his lines, Molina states, "I've never been one of those actors who can retain huge chunks of Shakespeare; it seems to disappear instantly after playing the role for months and months. I'm always rather in awe of older actors who could go into reams and reams out of nowhere."