Becoming the Role

Choosing actors and actress' that can successfully portray the characters from books is often no small task.  Director Joe Wright had difficulty finding people who could take on the complicated roles, but it paid off when he did.  Keira Knightley was cast for Cecilia Tallis.  For Keira, she was excited.  Keira wanted to be Cecilia and loved her character, including the time it was taken place (1935-1940) and her attitude.  Keira said, “I should think, because it would be very savvy, business-wise of me to go, ‘Yes, I’m going to do this, and then I’m going to do a big one.’ But I can’t think like that. It has to be what interests me at the time. I think there is a brilliant place for entertainment for entertainment’s sake. I think it’s completely wonderful to go to the cinema and see a complete ride and enjoy your popcorn and have a great time. And sometime when I’m in the mood, I will find a script and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I think it is partly because Pirates did take such a long time, and I was within that for such a long time, that I’ve just craved something that’s different. For me, the point of acting has been to change, as much as possible, and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do that.”  Keira in fact found this role challenging, however, she sought the novel, and found it extremely helpful.  Reading the novel helped Keira mold into Cecilia better. 

Selecting James McAvoy was a tough decision.  James "came in to audition for the part along with some really, really great British actors who were really top notch."  Considering the role was of an English boy and James is a Scottish man, he took on the role beautifully.  Keira said,  "I just think he has the rare ability to completely morph into whatever character he’s playing. I think he’s one of the most talented actors around, at the moment. And he really respects what he does, sees it as a craft and hones it. When you watch him, you watch somebody really working at constantly making it truthful and constantly making it better, and finding it really important to be in film and respecting what he does. There’s an incredible integrity to him. He’s also incredibly giving as a partner. It’s very much a collaboration. It’s very much about the company and the team, and about getting the best out of everyone, like Joe Wright is. I think he’s completely phenomenal, and it will be very exciting to see what he does.”

In most movies that require twins, one person will just take on both roles.  Fortunately for Wright, he found a real set of twins that fit the criteria perfectly.  Charlie von Simson and Felix von Simson were two young red headed twins that took on Jackson and Pierrot characters well.  The twin’s sister, Lola, was played by Juno Temple who luckily suited the part perfectly.  In addition to Juno having similar features to the twins, she acted as Lola perfectly - the way the novel portrays her.

Although you would not expect so, Briony Tallis' character were three different people who all scarily looked alike, despite the age gaps.  The American born Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan, played the young thirteen-year-old Briony.  With a heavy accent like Saoirse's, it would be expected that she had much difficulty pretending to have an English accent.  In a matter of fact, with minimal problems, Saoirse took on the English accent of a young girl well.  Romola was cast a few weeks after Saoirse, so she had a chance to see the decisions that Saoirse had already made.

Vanessa Redgrave, was the senior Briony Tallis and did a fantastic job of explaining the plot twist at the end of the movie.  Vanessa was perfect for the role of Briony with vascular dementia developing.

See Romola Garai's full interview here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj2DfDePgnM