Review Fix chats with actor Matthew Modine, who discusses his role in the Tribeca Film Festival short, “Merry Xmas,†as well as his new role in the upcoming TNT drama, “Proof.†A Hollywood veteran of the big and small screen, Modine discusses his relationship with the film’s director, his son, Boman, as well as his goals for the future and willingness to get involved in more theatre and even voice-over work.
Review Fix: Did you ever think you’d be in the situation to play a part in your son’s films?
Matthew Modine: From a very early age, Boman was asked if he’d follow in my footsteps and become and actor. It was charming to hear a young boy say, “Nope. I don’t like people telling me what to do. I’m going to be a director.” I told him my dream would be for us to find ourselves on a set like “Treasure of the Sierra Madre,†where John Houston directed his father, Walter. And funny as that may sound, Boman has been working with Angelica Houston and I’ve become friendly with her brother, Danny. So maybe the stars are alining and MERRY XMAS is our collective first step to a classic feature film.
Review Fix: Did he always show an interest in film?
Modine: Yes. But more so in literature. Boman is one of the most voracious readers I’ve ever met. Clearly a trait of his mothers. He studied religions and history in college. It was upon his graduation that he really developed, or further voiced his interest, in writing and directing. I was happy he studied religion and history. Two great backgrounds for epic storytelling.
Review Fix: How important do you feel the Tribeca Film Festival is to film?
Modine: I’ve been to a lot of film festivals all around the world. Each festival has a ‘temperature’. A vibe. Why it exists. Some are not really celebrations of film, but market places. Some are both. Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal and many others created the Tribeca film festival as a message to the city, to its residents, to the nation and to the world, that NYC was still standing strong. They decided to build this festival while dust and smoke from the twin towers were still settling on lower Manhattan. So Tribeca is unique from every other festival for this reason. Over time, the festival has now grown into one of the most important festivals in the U.S. It’s attendance has grown every year. It’s foundations to support emerging artists and education programs are some of the best programs in the country. So how do I feel about TFF? I love it.
Review Fix: What traits do you think your son gets from you and how does it shape him as an artist?
Modine: Boman is quite different from me. He says it’s because he got a better education! My father was a drive-in theater manager. My mom was a bookkeeper. I’m the youngest of seven and we never lived in one place for more than a couple of years. Boman’s one of two and lived in NYC for most of his life. I think the strongest trait we share is the desire to be fair and helpful to others. Nothing makes me happier than to meet someone and they ask “Are you Boman’s father? What a great guy!”.
Review Fix: How did you feel the first time you read his script? How did you get involved?
Modine: I actually pitched Boman the story and wrote the first draft. Merry Xmas is based on a very old joke that I think my father told me. Only it took place on Thanksgiving. It took some convincing to get him on board with the humor. At first he thought it was a ‘punchline’ joke. As he worked with the actors, in this case some extraordinary actors, (Dick, Valerie, & Glenne) he saw that the behavior of the actors – leading up to the punchline – had great comic potential. Boman reworked the script as we went along and incorporated his personal touches.
Review Fix: What was it like to work with Dick Van Dyke?
Modine: Glenne Headly and I were so excited to have the opportunity to work with Dick Van Dyke and Valerie Harper. And then we realized our scenes together – were only phone conversations. So we wouldn’t actually work with each other! Dick and Val were the only ones that got to work together in a scene. Which thrilled Boman because more than anything, he wanted Dick and Valerie to dance together in his film.
Review Fix: Do you like being in short films? Is it something you’d do again?
Modine: Yes. I have written and directed several short films. Short films are terrific exercises in minimalism.
Review Fix: Over the last few years, several Hollywood vets with similar resumes as you, Kevin Spacey and Sigourney Weaver, have gone and done voices in video games. Is that something you’d consider if given an opportunity?
Modine: If offered the opportunity, yes. I’ve worked with the animator Bill Plympton a couple of times on his animated films. Doing voice work is a wonderful challenge and I enjoy it.
Review Fix: How do you want people to be affected by his film?
Modine: Boman wanted to make people laugh and have a good time. Family is so important to us and we wanted a story that might bring families together. No matter what holiday or reason.
Review Fix: You’ve done so much in film and TV, what other goals do you have that may surprise people?
Modine: The more I work, the more I love the theatre. The stage presents challenges which are so different from film or television. And every performance is a new adventure.
Review Fix: What can you tell us about the character you play in “Proof”? What initially attracted you to him?
Modine: I liked the characters love of life and adventure. He’s a tech billionaire that also has a cancer that is killing him. So, why not use all his assets to try and find ‘proof’ of what happens when we die.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy the series the most?
Modine: People who share Ivan Turing’s curiosity. Who want to investigate one of life’s greatest mystery, death.
Review Fix: What was it like to work with Jennifer Beals?
Modine: Jennifer and I are old friends. So coming to work each day is like going to visit a good friend.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Modine: I’m directing a film this summer based on a script I’ve written, THE ROCKING HORSEMEN. It takes place in 1962 and is about a group of young teenagers that make a rock and roll band. I’m very excited to get started with the musicians/actors and get our band together. I love music and have high hopes this film will be terrific.
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